For the first time in ten years, a Saudi airline has transported Iranian pilgrims to the Kingdom for Hajj — a significant milestone in the thawing of relations between Riyadh and Tehran.
The resumed flights, including new routes from the Iranian city of Mashhad, are part of efforts to facilitate the pilgrimage for over 35,000 Iranian citizens. Officials confirmed the flights are exclusively designated for Hajj travel, not commercial use.
This renewed air link reflects the improving diplomatic climate following the restoration of ties between the two regional powers. In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reestablish relations in a landmark deal brokered by China, ending a seven-year diplomatic freeze.
Tensions between the two nations escalated in 2016 after Saudi Arabia severed relations when its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad were attacked by protesters. The unrest followed the execution of Saudi Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, and that year, Iranian pilgrims were unable to attend Hajj due to failed negotiations between the countries.
In the years that followed, Iranian pilgrims participated in Hajj only via chartered Iranian flights. Now, with direct flights resuming and diplomatic dialogue expanding, the renewed cooperation signals a notable shift in regional dynamics.
The Hajj pilgrimage, expected to begin in early June, continues to draw Muslims from around the world, with this year marking a significant return for Iranian worshippers traveling via Saudi carriers.
