The Iranian government has decided to unilaterally cancel visas for 33 countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. This news was announced by the Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ezzatollah Zargham.
Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Zarghami said the decision was aimed at boosting tourist arrivals and attracting more visitors from countries around the world. He said efforts to boost tourism could neutralize Iranophobia campaigns.
In addition to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, visas have also been canceled for those from Serbia and Croatia.
Iran previously had visa waiver programs for visitors from Turkey, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon and Syria.
According to the latest statistics, the number of foreign arrivals to Iran reached 4.4 million during the first eight months of the current Iranian year (started on March 21), an increase of 48.5% compared to the same period last year.