TEHRAN, May 23 (MNA) – In his weekly presser, FM Spokesman Jaberi Ansari said the Saudi government has prioritized escalation of tension and conflicts in the region, adding Iran has been pursuing the Hajj issue with ‘utmost self-restraint.’


In his weekly press conference on Monday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari answered a question about Iran’s reaction to the hostile positions of Saudi officials against Iran and their ‘Hajj sabotage’, saying “the issue on Hajj has been followed up on its proper track, but regrettably, the continuation of Saudis' sabotage has practically complicated the basic matters regarding the security and transport of Iranian pilgrims as well as the visa issuance.”

“Given the fact that Hajj is one of Islam’s obligatory duties, Iran’s government has been painstakingly following up on the resolution of the issue with the utmost self-restraint,” he added.

Jaberi Ansari went on to add, “if Saudi Arabia does not change its policy, it will be held responsible for preventing Iranian pilgrims from doing this Islamic obligatory duty.”

“The Islamic Republic will not be playing by the other side’s rules,” he stressed. “Today, the Saudi government has chosen the escalation of tension and conflicts in the region as its main policy, but Iran always seeks to expand cooperation and establish peace and stability in its surrounding region.”

By Mehr News Agency