Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Friday instructed the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to offer complete support and services to all Iranian pilgrims in the Kingdom.
The order follows over 85,000 Iranians completing this year’s Hajj pilgrimage despite growing conflict and airspace shutdowns in the region and increasing fears about the mobility and safety of travelers.
Saudi authorities vowed to fully meet Iranian pilgrims’ needs until they can return home safely.
“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, on the recommendation of the Crown Prince, has instructed that all possible assistance and service be provided to Iranian pilgrims until they return safely home,” a Ministry of Hajj and Umrah statement released on Friday stated.
The action comes after Israeli air attacks on Iranian ground earlier this week, which have prompted a number of countries, including Iran and Iraq, to shut segments of their airspace.
The shutdowns have disrupted global flight timetables and raised uncertainty among passengers across the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia’s principal global airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam reacted by asking passengers to verify with their airlines prior to coming to the airport, particularly those traveling to or transiting via impacted areas.
Previously, Saudi Arabia denounced the Israeli attacks on Iran as a blatant breach of international law and Iranian sovereignty.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom referred to the attacks as “heinous” and urged the United Nations Security Council and the rest of the world to “immediately put an end to this aggression and avert further escalation.
