Iran may reciprocate over Canada visa closure

Iran said on Tuesday it may take "reciprocal action" over a decision by Canada to shut the visa section in its Tehran embassy used by thousands of Iranians. "They have said that the decision was based on cost-cutting measures... but we will follow any action that causes trouble for our citizens," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters in his weekly briefing. "If anyone takes action against our national interest, we will take reciprocal action," he said. Canada's embassy announced on Sunday via a link on its official website that it had closed its visa section as part of an effort to operate "more effectively and efficiently." It said all visa services had been transferred to the Canadian embassy in Ankara, the capital of neighbouring Turkey. The move has angered many Iranians who had been planning to apply for tourist or immigration visas to Canada, with several expressing their discontent on Twitter and other social media.