Saudi Government Expels Six Media Personnel Linked to Iranian Pilgrims' Delegation

The news agency affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that the Saudi government expelled six members of the media group associated with the Iranian pilgrims' delegation from the country. According to Iranian media, this media group, which was expelled last night, included six 'journalists and documentarians' who were arrested while filming at the Prophet's Mosque last Tuesday and were transferred to the central police detention center in Medina after 'a few hours of interrogation.' The report states that this media group was expelled from Saudi Arabia 'without performing the Hajj rituals.' No further details have been released regarding the names of these individuals or the activities of this group that led to their arrest and expulsion from Saudi Arabia. Iranian officials annually conduct political and religious programs through the governmental body 'Ba'th', which is affiliated with Ali Khamenei and is responsible for guiding and coordinating Iranian pilgrims, often resulting in controversies and facing objections from the Saudi government. The presence of Iranian pilgrims at the religious Hajj ceremonies resumed this year after a nine-year hiatus due to the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Additionally, there has been a 500-euro increase in travel currency; the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization stated that this includes 'visitors to the holy shrines.' The 2023 Umrah for Iranian pilgrims has been canceled; Iranian officials stated that Saudi Arabia did not grant permission due to 'technical differences.' Ra'efi-Pour was detained due to 'identity suspicions'; his office stated: 'For now,' do not burn the Saudi flag. The financial turnover of the Hajj pilgrimage is estimated at 14 trillion tomans.