Tasnim� Iran�s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates� Affairs Hassan Qashqavi said the country�s citizens can make visa-free trips to a large number of countries in the near future.

Speaking at a ceremony in Tehran on Wednesday, Qashqavi described the Islamic Republic as a secure and safe country and said Iran will soon lift visa regime with many countries.

He added that the foreign ministry plans to issue electronic visas to Iranian nationals, which can be used in 180 countries.

Qashqavi further highlighted the role of the private sector in developing the tourism industry.

With a large number of attractive natural and historical sites, Iran is one of the most touristic countries in the world.

Visitor numbers have soared since Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) reached a nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in July 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.