Iran says pilgrims to miss hajj as no deal with Saudi

AFP, TEHRAN: Iran has failed to reach agreement with Saudi Arabia on arrangements for its pilgrims to join the annual hajj in September following the severing of ties, its culture minister said on Thursday.
An Iranian delegation held four days of talks in Saudi Arabia last month aimed at thrashing out a deal but with Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran closed since January and Iranian flights to the kingdom halted they hit deadlock.
“The arrangements have not been put together and it’s now too late,” Ali Jannati told the official IRNA news agency. “The sabotage is coming from the Saudis. “Their attitude was cold and inappropriate.
Another contentious issue has been security, after a massive stampede at last year’s hajj killed more than 2,000 foreign pilgrims, including 464 Iranians.

Iran says pilgrims to miss hajj as no deal with Saudi

AFP, TEHRAN: Iran has failed to reach agreement with Saudi Arabia on arrangements for its pilgrims to join the annual hajj in September following the severing of ties, its culture minister said on Thursday. An Iranian delegation held four days of talks in Saudi Arabia last month aimed at thrashing out a deal but with Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran closed since January and Iranian flights to the kingdom halted they hit deadlock. The arrangements have not been put together and its now too late, Ali Jannati told the official IRNA news agency. The sabotage is coming from the Saudis. Their attitude was cold and inappropriate. Another contentious issue has been security, after a massive stampede at last years hajj killed more than 2,000 foreign pilgrims, including 464 Iranians.