"An agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the simplification of mutual travels among the two countries’ individual categories of citizens, signed in Tehran on November 23, 2015, comes into force on February 6," the ministry said.
Participants in the two countries’ scientific, cultural and artistic events, as well as students and teachers, are included in the simplified visa regime.
"This agreement will further strengthen Russian-Iranian relations in all areas of mutual cooperation," the ministry stressed.
Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei suggested two weeks ago that Tehran may unilaterally cancel tourist visas for Russian citizens.
Morteza Rahmani Movahed, the tourism deputy of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) told RIA Novosti the two countries could introduce a visa-free regime "within a week" if Russia agreed on a mutual political decision.