Senior MP:

S. Arabia Avoids Issuing Visa for Iranian Diplomats

Rasa - A senior legislator blasted Riyadh for lack of cooperation with Tehran to send a number of its diplomats to Saudi Arabia to take the preparatory steps for the Iranian pilgrims' upcoming Hajj rituals.

News ID: 431188

Date: 22 July 2017 - 23:09

RNA - "During the negotiations with Saudi Arabia, it was decided that a team of 10 foreign ministry officials be sent to the country in early July" to make arrangements before the pilgrims arrive for Hajj, member of the presiding board of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mohammad Ebrahim Rezayee said on Saturday.

Noting that Riyadh has not yet issued visas for the Iranian diplomats, he said that if the Saudis continue to avoid issuing visas to block the Iranian diplomats' entry, the Iranian pilgrims will not be permitted to travel to Saudi Arabia either.

In relevant remarks earlier this month, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi voiced deep concern over the safety of the country's pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj in the wake of the recent political changes in Saudi Arabia.

"The new political changes in Saudi Arabia, namely the controversial appointment of Mohammad bin Salman as the kingdom's new crown prince have caused certain concerns for Iran over the safety of its pilgrims in the upcoming Hajj rituals," Boroujerdi said.

The senior Iranian lawmaker went on to add that certain measures will be reviewed at the Security and Foreign Policy Committee before the date of dispatching Iranian pilgrims to Hajj pilgrimage.

While Iran has serious and rightful concerns about the competence of Saudi authorities to manage the Hajj rituals, the Islamic Republic responded positively to the Saudi invitation for the 2017 pilgrimage under the condition that all safety measures be provided for the pilgrims. The Mina stampede during Hajj rituals in September 2015 led to the loss of lives of about 465 Iranian nationals. Saudi Arabia has refused to assume responsibility and pay compensations to the families of victims.

847/940