Iran International:

Iran has overhauled its visa rules starting this month, requiring foreign tourists to enter only through organized tours booked with registered agencies, the Travel and Tour World website reported Saturday.

"This change effectively bans independent travel, requiring tourists to submit additional documentation, including a detailed resume, tour operator contract, and confirmed hotel bookings," the online magazine said.

Under the new rules cited by the outlet, tourists are also required to travel with licensed guides for their entire stay. Payments are only made once the visa is approved, and applications take two to three weeks to process.

Iran’s foreign and tourism ministries have not confirmed the report or announced any changes to the country’s visa regulations.

Though framed as a means to ensure structured and secure tourism, these newly reported regulations are being introduced just a couple of months after Iran arrested thousands including foreign visitors following the 12-day conflict with Israel in June.

The Islamic Republic has a longstanding record of detaining visiting academics, dual nationals, and other foreigners—often accused of espionage in cases widely perceived abroad as political leverage or hostage diplomacy.

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