Saudi Arabia: Iranian delegation refused to sign deal on Hajj arrangements

An Iranian delegation has refused to sign a deal on arrangements for its pilgrims to join the annual hajj in September, the Saudi Hajj Ministry said on Thursday.

Every year, Saudi Arabia invites officials of Hajj affairs in the Arab and Islamic countries as well other countries with Muslim minorities to agree on the arrangements for the Hajj season and the demands of their pilgrims.

"Saudi Arabia has invited Iranian Hajj officials to visit the kingdom to discuss the arrangements for this year's Hajj," the Saudi ministry said in a statement.

During the talks, the delegation insisted on granting visas to the Iranian pilgrims from inside the Islamic republic and re-drafting an article on sharing the airlifting of the pilgrims between the Saudi and Iranian airlines, which violates international regulations, the ministry added.

"The delegation has left the kingdom without signing the arrangements for the Iranian pilgrims this year," the ministry said, noting that it explained to the delegation that the visas could be obtained electronically.

The Saudi authorities did not prevent the Iranian performers of minor Hajj from coming to the Kingdom, but the ban was made by the Iranian government as a means to exercise pressure on the Saudi government, it stressed.

Source : MENA