Following a series of cases in which Indians were lured with fake job offers, trafficked into Iran, and later kidnapped for ransom, the government of Iran has suspended its visa-free entry facility for Indian nationals from November 22.

The suspension applies to all Indian citizens holding ordinary passports. Indian travellers will now need to obtain a visa for both entry and transit through Iran. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO

In an advisory issued Monday evening, the Ministry External Affairs (MEA) said the decision aims to stop the misuse of the visa waiver by organised criminal networks exploiting desperate job-seekers.

The MEA said it had been alerted to multiple incidents where Indians were deceived into travelling to Iran with promises of high-paying jobs, easy transit to Gulf or

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