FM calls for tourism push to offset sanctions
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday called for tourism and handicrafts to be used as tools of economic diplomacy to boost foreign currency earnings and cushion the impact of sanctions.
Speaking at a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts in Tehran, Araghchi said the Foreign Ministry must help reduce the impact of sanctions by mobilizing the country’s economic potential while pursuing diplomatic efforts and negotiations to lift them.
He described tourism and handicrafts as key instruments of economic diplomacy and called for stronger links between Iran’s border provinces and neighboring regions to expand trade, economic cooperation and tourism.
“Facilitating overland travel for visitors from neighboring countries could help unlock this potential,” he said.
Araghchi pointed to Iraq as a major tourism market, saying about three million Iraqi pilgrims visit Mashhad in northeastern Iran each year.
He called for efforts to increase their numbers and encourage them to travel to other parts of the country.
He also urged Iranian embassies and diplomatic missions abroad to pursue economic, trade and job-creation opportunities to boost foreign currency earnings and exports.
“Diplomatic missions could help promote Iranian handicrafts internationally, expand overseas marketing and connect domestic producers with new markets,” he said.
Araghchi also identified easier visa procedures, stronger engagement with target tourism markets and cooperation to secure international recognition for Iranian cultural heritage sites as areas for joint action. He said the Foreign Ministry was ready to provide comprehensive support for the cultural heritage ministry’s plans.
Culture Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri thanked Araghchi, the diplomatic service and Iranian embassies for safeguarding national interests and helping advance his ministry’s programs.