Iran suspends hajj trips to Saudi Arabia

Iran suspended all minor hajj trips to Saudi Arabia on Monday amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, reports said. Iran’s culture ministry made the decision over alleged abuse suffered by two male Iranian pilgrims traveling through Saudi’s Jeddah airport in March, the station reported. The alleged abuse, the details of which authorities have not publicly discussed, sparked unauthorised protests at the Saudi Embassy in Tehran.

Iran suspended all minor hajj trips to Saudi Arabia on Monday amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, reports said.

Iran’s culture ministry made the decision over alleged abuse suffered by two male Iranian pilgrims traveling through Saudi’s Jeddah airport in March, the station reported. The alleged abuse, the details of which authorities have not publicly discussed, sparked unauthorised protests at the Saudi Embassy in Tehran.

Tensions between Shia power Iran and the Sunni kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been strained amid Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen targeting Shiite rebels known as Houthis there.

The US, Western countries and Sunni Arab nations involved in the Saudi-led coalition have accused Iran of supporting the Houthis militarily, something both the rebels and Iran deny.

Iran, meanwhile, also urged the formation of a new Yemeni government and offered to assist in a political transition.

On Monday, Saudi-led warplanes continue to hit rebel positions in southern Yemen as gunfire killed five people in Aden.