Iran has confirmed the suspension of Umrah flights to Saudi Arabia
In an unexpected turn of events, Iran confirmed the suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia. Iranians had intended to travel to the holy land after an 8-year hiatus. However, a spokesman for Iran Air confirmed the cancellation of the flights, citing "technical differences".
The State News Agency of the Islamic Republic also confirmed that the planned pilgrimage flights to Jeddah from Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan were canceled because the Saudi authorities did not issue the necessary permits. Although observers suggest that instead of permits, the reason for the suspension of flights may be something "political". This was reported by en.dailypakistan.com.
Iranian Minister of Culture Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaili assured in his statement that this is a "technical disagreement" between the countries' aviation authorities and nothing serious.
Iranian authorities have said there is potential to send 800,000 to one million pilgrims annually if conditions are favorable and the necessary cooperation is expanded.
The resumption of Umrah became an important moment after the renewal of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023. The pilgrimage was suspended in 2015, a year before the two countries severed diplomatic relations.
The two countries were at odds over the 2015 Hajj stampede, which led to an escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran over the deaths of Iranian pilgrims. Iranian leaders have accused the Saudi authorities of being responsible for the disaster, which killed about 2,000 pilgrims, including more than 400 Iranians.
Negotiations between the two countries, mediated by China, are now bearing fruit, and the resumption of the Umrah pilgrimage is seen as a step in the same direction, although the suspension of flights was surprising.
