Tehran: Iran on Tuesday thanked Saudi Arabia for its handling of the Haj, saying it has opened the way for negotiations between the regional rivals.
“We thank Saudi Arabia... for adopting a new approach in dealing with Iranian pilgrims,” said Ali Ghazi-Askar, the head of the Haj organisation in Tehran, according to the state broadcaster.
Around 86,000 Iranian pilgrims took part in the Haj last week. They were unable to attend in 2016 after talks collapsed over security concerns.
Iran had been highly critical of Saudi Arabia’s organisational efforts in the wake of a stampede during the 2015 Haj that killed up to 2,300 people, including hundreds of Iranians.
“There are always differences arising among countries, but the important thing is for the parties to resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation,” said Ghazi-Askar, according to the ISNA news agency.
“Right now, after holding a successful Haj, it is a good time for both parties to negotiate to resolve their bilateral issues in other fields.”
The two countries severed diplomatic relations after Iranians stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in January 2016 in response to Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif remained circumspect, however, saying he had yet to see “a clear prospect for change” in the relationship.
