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Portugal Suspends Visas To Iranians 'For Security Reasons'


Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva speaks to the media during a joint press conference with Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva speaks to the media during a joint press conference with Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
LISBON, Portugal (AP)

Portugal's foreign minister says his country has temporarily stopped granting visas to Iranians "for security reasons."

Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva told a Portuguese parliament committee about the decision on Tuesday but declined to elaborate on the rationale for it. He said he would provide details privately to lawmakers on the committee.

Portugal has long had diplomatic relations with Iran, though trade and ties are minor compared with other European Union countries.

Online newspaper Observador reports that national news agency Lusa quoted Santos Silva saying, "Portugal doesn't take lightly who it lets into the country."

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