Iran in No Visa Waiver Talks With Europe, Other Countries: Qassemi

“The fake report published by some media outlets, which quoted a fictional and unknown source at [Iran’s] Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that talks are underway with some countries, including a number of European countries, to remove visa requirements is invalid,” Bahram Qassemi said on Sunday.

He added that any agreement with other countries on the facilitation of consular affairs would be announced only through “official channels.”

The Iranian diplomat further noted that Iran’s Foreign Ministry has always made efforts, particularly in recent years, to boost the credibility and status of Iranian passports and pursued this issue as one of its main plans.

Qassemi emphasized that the ministry has held consultations with many countries to facilitate consular affairs for all Iranian nationals, especially regarding the agreement on the abolition of visa requirements with more states.

He said the ministry would certainly continue with such efforts as one of its main and permanent responsibilities, adding that many countries have also offered similar visa waiver requests and proposals to Iran.

Qassemi made the comments after some media reports claimed that a source at Iran’s Foreign Ministry had said that 72 countries mainly in Asia, Africa and South America have accepted to lift visa requirements for Iranians or give visas on arrival to holders of Iranian passports.

The reports also quoted the source as saying that talks are underway with France, Germany and Italy to remove visa requirements for Iranians.