The first group of Iranian pilgrims departed Tehran early this morning aboard a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight, marking the official resumption of Hajj travel from Iran after a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent diplomatic tensions. The 150-strong delegation, comprising senior officials and religious scholars alongside ordinary worshippers, arrived in Jeddah later in the day, where they were met by Saudi border officials and Iranian diplomatic representatives stationed in the kingdom.
According to the Iranian Ministry of Religious Endowments and Affairs, the delegation includes a high-ranking delegation from the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, led by Deputy Minister Mohammad Reza Mehrabi, who will oversee logistical coordination with Saudi authorities. The Iranian government had earlier announced that approximately 10,000 pilgrims would be permitted to travel for this year’s Hajj, a significant increase from the 2023 quota of 5,000—a decision framed as a reflection of “improved bilateral relations” between Tehran and Riyadh.
The resumption of Hajj travel follows months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, with sources close to the Iranian government confirming that Saudi Arabia had relaxed visa restrictions as part of a broader effort to normalize pilgrimage routes. The Iranian Foreign Ministry had previously stated that the decision to expand pilgrim numbers was contingent on “guarantees regarding safety and administrative cooperation,” a reference to past disputes over visa processing delays and quarantine requirements. Saudi officials, however, have not publicly commented on the specifics of the agreement beyond confirming the arrival of the Iranian delegation.
This year’s Hajj coincides with heightened regional sensitivities. Iranian pilgrims will travel under a special security protocol agreed upon by both governments, though details remain classified. The protocol includes mandatory health screenings upon arrival and departure, as well as designated transit zones within Saudi Arabia to minimize contact with other pilgrim groups. Iranian state media has emphasized that the pilgrims will adhere to Saudi religious and public health guidelines, including the requirement to wear the ihram garment and follow designated prayer areas.
Diplomatic observers note that the timing of this year’s pilgrimage—scheduled for the final ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, beginning July 16—coincides with a period of relative calm in Iran-Saudi relations. While tensions have persisted over issues such as Yemen’s war and regional proxy conflicts, both governments have signaled a pragmatic approach to Hajj logistics, viewing the pilgrimage as a neutral ground for limited cooperation. The Iranian government has framed the expanded pilgrim quota as a “humanitarian gesture,” though analysts suggest it may also serve as a confidence-building measure ahead of potential broader diplomatic engagements.
For Iranian pilgrims, the journey holds deep symbolic weight. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and the Iranian government has historically prioritized facilitating the pilgrimage despite economic and political challenges. This year’s delegation includes a notable number of elderly worshippers, some of whom had been unable to travel since 2019 due to pandemic restrictions and subsequent travel bans. The Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization has assured families that all necessary documentation, including vaccination records and travel insurance, has been pre-verified to expedite the process.
As the first group of pilgrims settles into their accommodations in Makkah and Medina, Saudi authorities are preparing for the arrival of additional Iranian delegations over the coming weeks. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has not yet released a full itinerary, but officials have indicated that the pilgrimage will proceed in phases, with strict adherence to Saudi-led safety protocols. The next scheduled departure from Tehran is expected within the next 48 hours, carrying another 200 pilgrims.
