Iran to grant visa-free travel to Saudi Arabia as ties continue to mend

Iran said it will lift its visa restrictions on 33 countries, including Saudi Arabia, with whom it recently mended ties following a seven-year-long rift between the two Middle Eastern powers, semi-official media reported on Thursday.

The move was carried out in a bid to boost tourism to the country and attract more visitors from around the world, cultural minister Ezzatolah Zarghami said, which has been impacted by an economic crisis and high inflation.

The decision to waive such visa restrictions will now increase the number of countries who can visit Iran without obtaining a visa to 45.

"The unilateral cancellation of visas, in line with priorities set by the ministry, was ratified today in the government session," Zarghami said.

"The government intends to open the country’s doors to the world, and this decision is both courageous and deliberate by the government."

As well as Saudi Arabia, among the countries allowed entry into Iran without a visa will include the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, as well as several South American, African, Asian and European nations.

However, Croatia is the only Western-allied country to feature in the list.

The move is the latest of its kind as diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh have been re-established, following a China-brokered deal in March restoring ties between the two.

The thaw in relations saw the countries' foreign ministers paying visits to Iran and Saudi Arabia, while home and away sports fixtures have recommenced since. The countries will also start formal talks this week to resume direct scheduled flights between Tehran and Riyadh and other cities.

Additionally, Umrah pilgrims from Iran will be headed to the holy city of Mecca beginning on December 19, for the first time in eight years pause. According to semi-official state media, flights from 10 airports across the country will carry Iranian worshippers to the religious city.

Diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were severed in 2016, following the execution of prominent Shia cleric Nimr Al-Nimr, which prompted outrage in Iran. Consequently, the country’s Saudi diplomatic missions were attacked and vandalised.