Iran offers visa on arrival to all except nine countries

Iran on Monday said it will issue visas for all foreign nationals upon their arrival at Iranian airports, except for those from Britain, the US and seven other countries.

The move was aimed at promoting the tourism industry in the country, Xinhua news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari as saying.

Ansari did not specify the other seven countries excluded from the airport visa policy, saying only that a list of eligible countries will be announced in the future.

"The decision has been made to meet the national interests and we hope it is well-received by the international tourists," he said.

Following the election of Hassan Rouhani as Iranian president in 2013, Iran has sought reciprocal visa waiver programmes with some countries as part of its bid to boost tourism.