Visas issued for Iranian diplomatic delegation for Hajj pilgrimage: Minister

Iran’s Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri says visas have been issued for members of an Iranian diplomatic delegation to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage after Tehran boycotted the pilgrimage last year amid tensions with Riyadh.

There is no problem for members of the Foreign Ministry’s delegation to be stationed in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, Salehi Amiri told IRNA on Monday.

“All necessary preparations for this year’s Hajj have been made and we hope that we will witness a calm and dignified Hajj given the promises made by Saudi Arabia,” he said.

He anticipated successful Hajj rituals for Iranians with regard to all strategies drawn up by the Islamic Republic.

Iran on Sunday flied a first group of its pilgrims for Hajj in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom ruptured diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic and withheld cooperation towards enabling Iranians to attend the rituals.

SS