Iran has unveiled its first biometric passports, but only for diplomatic purposes, according to the Deputy Foreign Minister. The government plans to release e-passports for all applicants by the end of the Iranian year, reported PRESStv. After being pushed by by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the use of biometric passports, Iran has made every endeavor to prepare the high-tech documents. According to the article, only 34 countries have added biometric features to passports, although Iran is hoping that the new system will reduce security costs and discourage passport forgery as well as increase the speed at which passengers are processed through customs.