TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) – Saeid Owhadi, the Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, blamed Saudis for not providing the security for Iranian pilgrims of Hajj rituals.


“We did not dispatch Iranian pilgrims because of the Saudi impediments which could waste the rights of Iranians,” said Saeid Owhadi, the Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, on Wednesday, in Iranian northern city of Amol.

The official articulated his deep concern over sending Iranian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia after Saudi refusal to even apologize for the shortcomings that led to the Mina tragedy of September 2015, which claimed the lives of around 5000 pilgrims, 464 of them were Iranians.

“The first anniversary to commemorate the victims of the tragedy will be held in both Iran and abroad, as seven committees have been formed for this purpose,” recounted the chief of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization.

By Mehr News Agency