Iranian Pilgrims Return to Saudi Arabia for Umrah After Nine Years

Recently Saudi Arabia welcomed the first group of Iranian Umrah pilgrims after nine years. This is a huge step toward marking a significant moment in the renewed Relationship between the two Iran and Saudi Arabia. The irani pilgrims arrived at Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. Irani Umrah Pilgrims received warm greetings from Iranian Ambassador Ali Reza Enayati and several Saudi and Iranian Officials.

This moment comes after a long break in Religious Pilgrimages for Iranians.  Due to the strained Diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, this huge step has been taken.  The both countries Iran and Saudi Arabia had severed their relationship in 2016 after Saudi Diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests over the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

However, the situation changed last year when Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore their diplomatic relations through a China-brokered deal. This agreement included reopening embassies in both countries, allowing for greater cooperation and paving the way for Iranian pilgrims to once again visit Saudi Arabia’s holy sites.


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While Iranians were permitted to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage last year, the Umrah pilgrimage remained off-limits until now. Umrah is a significant spiritual journey to the holy city of Mecca that Muslims can undertake at any time, unlike the Hajj, which occurs during specific dates in the lunar calendar.

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This initial group of Iranian Umrah pilgrims is part of a broader plan allowing over 5,700 Iranians to perform the pilgrimage this year. The reestablishment of Religious journey and Umrah entry shows improvement between diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.