Iran pilgrims to miss Hajj amid row with Saudi Arabia

Iran and Saudi Arabia have failed to resolve a row over the Hajj pilgrimage and Iranian citizens will not travel to Mecca this year, Tehran says. Iranian Culture Minister Ali Jannati blamed “obstacles raised by the Saudis”. Saudi Arabia blamed “unacceptable” Iranian conditions. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had, in a statement, said […]

Iran and Saudi Arabia have failed to resolve a row over the Hajj pilgrimage and Iranian citizens will not travel to Mecca this year, Tehran says.
Iranian Culture Minister Ali Jannati blamed “obstacles raised by the Saudis”. Saudi Arabia blamed “unacceptable” Iranian conditions.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had, in a statement, said the authorities in the Kingdom did not prevent Iranians from performing hajj. 
It noted that the Iran’s delegation, at a meeting with Saudi Hajj officials in Riyadh, declined to sign agreement to seal the arrangements for this year’s Hajj exercise unless their demands are met.
But Mr Jannati said that “after two series of negotiations without any results because of obstacles raised by the Saudis, Iranian pilgrims will unfortunately not be able to take part in the Hajj” in September.
It blamed the Saudis for failing to meet Iranian demands for “the security and respect” of Iranian pilgrims.