Tehran, May 29, IRNA - Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati said here on Sunday that Iranians cannot make their Hajj pilgrimage this year due to the obstacles made by Saudi Arabian officials.

Speaking in a local gathering, Jannati reiterated that the decision has been made following Riyadh's behavior with Iranian delegation who traveled to Saudi Arabia to negotiate about this year Hajj rituals.

The minister regretted that the Iranian pilgrims could not be dispatched to this year Hajj rituals.

'We waited for the response of Saudi officials until today, but given their behavior in the two rounds of negotiations with an Iranian delegation and the obstructions they have created, Iranian pilgrims cannot perform the rituals this year,' said the minister.

He added that Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization would issue an announcement on cancellation of this year Hajj rituals tomorrow.

Meanwhile, head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi said that today ( May 29) is Saudi Arabia's last chance to accept Tehran’s conditions for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Ohadi stated that if Riyadh does not accept Tehran's conditions and send the agreement, Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and the Supreme Leader Representative Office in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs would issue an announcement on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Last week, an Iranian delegation traveled to Saudi Arabia at the official invitation of new Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten to hold last-ditch talks with the Arab kingdom’s officials on the dispatch of Iranian pilgrims to the annual rituals in September.

By IRNA