First group of Iran’s Umrah pilgrims departs for Saudi Arabia after nine-year hiatus

The first group of Iranian pilgrims on Monday departed for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah after the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

According to the news sources, the Iranian group comprising 85 pilgrims headed to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage to the holy sites of Islam. 

Iranian media reported in December 2023 that Saudi Arabia had lifted restrictions on Iranians wishing to perform Umrah, but flights were still delayed due to "technical issues" on Tehran's part.

Riyadh suspended Umrah for Iranian pilgrims in 2015 as both countries engaged in a strategic conflict over Yemen, alleging each other of extending support to the warring parties.

Earlier, Iran’s minister of culture promised that before the summer of 2024, around 400,000 people would embark on the Umrah pilgrimage.

Following a period of seven years with severed diplomatic ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a deal in February 2023 to re-establish diplomatic relations.

China's mediation during then Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani's visit to Beijing in March 2023, opened the door for a trip by Iranian President Syyed Ebrahim Raisi to the kingdom in an effort to mend bilateral ties.