Ali Jannati

Iranians will not take part in this year's Mecca pilgrimage because of "obstacles" raised by Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said on Sunday.

A total of 226 Iranian pilgrims were killed in last week's hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia, authorities in Tehran said on Monday, raising the toll from 169.

Ali Jannati said new delivery systems ignore borders, making censorship measures redundant.

Iranians will not take part in this year's Mecca pilgrimage because of "obstacles" raised by Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said on Sunday.

A total of 226 Iranian pilgrims were killed in last week's hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia, authorities in Tehran said on Monday, raising the toll from 169.

Ali Jannati said new delivery systems ignore borders, making censorship measures redundant.