Iran's Minister of Culture Accuses Riyadh of Obstructing Iranian Pilgrims' Travel to Hajj

Iran's Minister of Culture, Ali Jannati, claims that Saudi Arabia is obstructing the travel of Iranian pilgrims to Mecca. In a statement to reporters on Tuesday during a working breakfast at the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, he said that Tehran is seriously pursuing the dispatch of Iranian pilgrims for this year's Hajj. Jannati stated that the Saudi side has had negative interactions and is obstructing air transport, preventing Iranian planes from transporting pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. He also mentioned that Hajj officials should have previously traveled to Saudi Arabia to finalize accommodation contracts, but the Saudi government has not yet issued visas for these individuals. James Dwyer, a Middle East expert, noted that Iran and Saudi Arabia have always had disputes over Hajj, regardless of their overall relations. When relations are good, the two countries can find a solution to their problems; when relations deteriorate, disputes like this arise. Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will issue visas for the Iranian delegation in a third country. Iran insists that if the Swiss government is safeguarding Saudi interests, it should issue visas for Iranian officials in Iran, and requests for visas from a third country are unacceptable to Tehran. Dwyer further explained that when relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia sour, disputes over Hajj emerge, reflecting the overall deterioration of their relationship. Diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were severed following the occupation of Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad by a group of Basij protesters in December, who attacked the Saudi embassy in protest against the execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia. Consequently, direct flights between Tehran and Riyadh were halted, and Saudi Arabia unilaterally cut diplomatic ties with Iran. Some of Saudi Arabia's allies also suspended their relations with Iran in line with Saudi policy. Iran has previously accused Saudi Arabia and Turkey of supporting Sunni armed groups, including some extremist factions, while Ankara and Riyadh have criticized Iran's policies in support of Shia groups in the region. Dwyer believes that no significant changes are expected in Iran-Saudi relations in the near future, although tensions may increase. However, there is a limit to how much tension can exist between the two countries, as neither desires direct military conflict. They will continue to compete in regional issues such as Hajj, oil production, Syria, and Iraq, but neither is interested in actual war. Last year's Hajj saw dozens killed and injured after a crane collapsed at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, including eleven Iranian pilgrims. Earlier, in October 2015, hundreds of pilgrims of various nationalities were trampled during the Mina incident, resulting in the deaths of 465 Iranian pilgrims, according to Iranian officials. The Mina incident led to a new wave of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with Iran accusing Saudi Arabia of mismanagement. Riyadh claims that around 770 people died in the Mina incident, while the Associated Press reported the death toll to be 2,426. Religious researcher Hassan Farashtian emphasized the importance of Hajj for the Iranian government as it allows participation in a public demonstration of the Islamic world. The essence of Hajj is for Muslims to gather together at a specific time each year, and since the revolution, the Islamic Republic has sought to leverage this space for political gain. Meanwhile, Saeed Ohadi, head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, stated on March 19 that negotiations with Saudi officials regarding the security of Iranian pilgrims during Hajj had reached an agreement, but Tehran is still awaiting a response from Riyadh regarding visa issuance, the location of issuance, and the use of domestic flight capacities. Farashtian noted that for devout individuals, Hajj is a religious obligation, one of the five pillars of Islam, and every Muslim must perform it at least once in their lifetime. It serves as a spiritual journey for the faithful and a pilgrimage for less devout individuals. For the government, it is crucial as it allows participation in a public demonstration of the Islamic world. The Islamic Republic has aimed to assert its presence among Muslims globally, especially since Shia Islam is often seen as distinct within the Islamic world. Recently, Saudi Arabia revoked the permission for Mahan Air to use its airspace and land at its airports, citing safety violations. Mahan Air is one of Iran's main airlines, which previously transported many passengers between Iran and Saudi Arabia before the suspension of Hajj travel. The Iranian Minister of Culture stated that Saudi Arabia's treatment of Iranian pilgrims has been very insulting and humiliating. He mentioned that despite losing three or four months, Iran is striving to ensure that Iranian pilgrims can attend Hajj this year if Saudi officials cooperate.