With lifting visa rules, Iran expects to improve diplomatic relations with other nations and boost its tourism sector. Visa requirements for 33 countries, including Saudi Arabia, India, Lebanon, and Tunisia, has been relaxed by Iran.
"The ministry of tourism believes that an open-door policy will showcase Iran's determination to engage with different countries of the world," the semi-official ISNA reported.
The decision will increase to 45 the number of countries or territories whose citizens can visit Iran without needing to obtain a visa, it said.
After years of tension with Saudi Arabia, easing the visa restrictions would be yet another friendly step to improve the situation between both the nations. Riyadh and Tehran have aligned themselves with warring parties in Syria, Iraq and Yemen in the past decade.
The attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure was blamed on Iran and its Arab proxy forces by the Western officials. However, Iran had denied involvement in those attacks. Iran and Saudi agreed to restore full diplomatic relations, severed in 2016, under a Chinese-mediated agreement in March.
ISNA gave a full list of the countries, which included Lebanon, Tunisia, India, several Central Asian, African and "Muslim" nations.
"Russians will only profit from this visa exemption if they are visiting the country in groups," ISNA added.
Iranian pilgrims will for the first time in eight years begin regular travel to Saudi Arabia from December 19, Iranian media reported on Wednesday.
