Iran has announced that it was lifting visa requirements for citizens of India as well as 32 other countries — being an addition to several other countries that have recently announced visa-free travel for Indian nationals.

This move is aimed at boosting tourism with more visitors from across the world, said Ezzatollah Zarghami, Iranian minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

This decision aims at showcasing Iran’s commitment to global interaction, said Zarghami, adding, “Iran aims to counter negative perceptions and rumours with this move, while combating the phenomenon of ‘Iranophobia perpetuated by the global arrogance system’.”

Thirty-two other countries in Iran’s visa-free travel list include Russia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Seychelles, Indonesia, Darussalam, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, and Belarus.

Earlier, Iran had lifted visa requirements for the citizens of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria.

(With inputs from agencies)