Tehran, Iran: Iran will be allowed to set up temporary consulates in Saudi Arabia during the hajj pilgrimage despite the absence of diplomatic ties between the two rivals, the foreign ministry in Tehran said Tuesday.
"Some officials from the foreign ministry's consular section will be deployed to Jeddah, Mecca and Medina to provide consular services to Iranian pilgrims during the hajj," spokesman Bahram Ghasemi was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.
Iranians were unable to attend the hajj last year after talks on security and logistics fell apart.
But an agreement was reached earlier this year to allow Iranians to take part in this September's hajj.
The two countries severed diplomatic ties in January 2016 after Iranians stormed Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran in response to the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
The region's two leading powers back opposing sides in several conflicts, including in Syria and Yemen.
More than 1.8 million faithful took part in last year's hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims who can must perform it at least once in their lives.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Some officials from the foreign ministry's consular section will be deployed to Jeddah, Mecca and Medina to provide consular services to Iranian pilgrims during the hajj," spokesman Bahram Ghasemi was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.
Iranians were unable to attend the hajj last year after talks on security and logistics fell apart.
The two countries severed diplomatic ties in January 2016 after Iranians stormed Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran in response to the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
Advertisement
More than 1.8 million faithful took part in last year's hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims who can must perform it at least once in their lives.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Saudi Teacher Gets 20-Year Jail Term Over Critical Social Media Posts 'Bodies On The Ground': Pilgrims Recount Hajj Heat Horrors Opinion: Opinion | Is The End Of The US-Saudi Petro Deal An Opportunity For India? On CCTV, Gym Trainer Picks Up Club, Hits Mumbai Man On Head During Workout 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre "In Order To See...": Trump On Why He Tilted Head Before Assassin Fired Trump Shooter's Father Called Cops About Missing Gun Before Attack: Report Application Process For Chief Engineer, Project Manager Begins Hulk Hogan Tears Off Shirt In Support Of Donald Trump At Republican Event Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.