Head of Russia's trade mission in Iran Rustam Zhiganshin said the first visa-free flights of tourist groups had started between Iran and Russia.

“The first visa-free flights of Iranian tourist groups between Russia and Iran have begun,” Zhiganshin said as quoted by the local news agency.

Iran and Russia signed an agreement on visa-free tourist travel in March. According to the deal, a visa-free regime is established for groups of tourists up to 50 people entering Russia or Iran for up to 15 days.