Saudi Arabia pledges full support for all Iranian pilgrims amid regional unrest

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Friday ordered the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide comprehensive support and services to all Iranian pilgrims currently in the Kingdom, following recommendations from Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The directive comes as more than 85,000 Iranians conclude this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, even as escalating conflict and airspace closures in the region have raised new concerns about the safety and mobility of travelers.

The Saudi government pledged to ensure that the needs of Iranian pilgrims are fully met until conditions allow for their safe return home.

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, based on the recommendation of the Crown Prince, has directed that every possible support and service be extended to Iranian pilgrims until they are able to return home safely,” a statement from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Friday.

The move follows Israeli military strikes on Iranian territory earlier this week, which have led several countries, including Iran and Iraq, to close portions of their airspace. The closures have upended international flight schedules and caused uncertainty for travelers throughout the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia’s main international airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam responded by urging passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, especially those flying to or transiting through affected regions.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran, describing them as a flagrant violation of international law and Iranian sovereignty. The Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the attacks “heinous” and appealed to the United Nations Security Council and the wider international community to “immediately stop this aggression and prevent further escalation.”

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE