Iranian envoy: Pezeshkian, Lukashenko task FMs to explore visa facilitation

To ensure the viability of a direct Tehran-Minsk flight, Sanei told IRNA on Friday that Pezeshkian and Lukashenko have directed their foreign ministers to explore visa facilitation.

The directive, issued during Wednesday’s talks, aims to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges, addressing the critical need for simplified visa procedures to make the route economically sustainable.

Sanei refuted recent reports of visa cancellations for Iranian travelers, emphasizing that the foreign ministries are actively working towards a favorable agreement, building upon a 2022 agreement that permitted Iranian airlines to operate direct flights to Belarus.

The envoy’s remarks came two days after Pezeshkian visited Minsk on the second leg of a trip that earlier took him to Armenia. During his stay, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Belarus signed 12 cooperation agreements and a joint statement on issues of mutual interest.