Iranian media outlet cited Ali Asghar Mounesan, the Iranian vice president and
head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHTO),
who announced that passports of foreign tourists visiting Iran will not have to
be stamped. Proposed legislation for the move has been drafted and approved by
the head of ICHTO and main the country’s Ministries.
"While the statistics provided by immigration police of Iran show that the
number of foreign tourists visiting Iran has increased by 38 percent in the
first four months, the number of European visitors show a slight decline which
has affected the functionality of our 4- and 5-star hotels,” Ali Asghar Mounesan
was quoted as saying by Mehr news agency.
Mounesan stressed that the move will allow an easing of "tourists’ concerns
about visiting Iran because of US sanctions.”
Last year, Russia and Iran signed an agreement on visa-free travel for tourist
groups from five to 50 people. Moscow and Tehran have simplified visa rules in
place for their nationals – business people, scientists, educators and several
other categories of travelers – that has been in force since February 2016.
The resumption of sanctions against Iran by the administration of US President
Donald Trump began in May when the US withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action (JCPOA), more commonly known as the Iran nuclear agreement.
On August 7, Trump imposed the first package of sanctions against Iran,
targeting the country’s purchase of US dollar banknotes, trade in gold and other
metals, as well as transactions involving its national currency.
A second package is set to be introduced by Trump on November 4 that, among
other things, aims to hit Iran’s energy sector and oil exports.
On Monday, Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled out the possibility
of either waging a war or engaging in negotiations with Trump amid escalated
Tehran-Washington tensions.
Tehran has noted that in order to pave the way for talks with Iran, the Trump
administration must return to the JCPOA Iran nuclear deal. Other signatories to
the JCPOA, including China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the
European Union, have agreed that the historic agreement must be preserved.
Source:Irantourismnews