Iranian supreme leader’s representative in Haj affairs, Ali Ghazi Askar insisted: “all of us are intent on holding next year’s Muslim Haj if necessary arrangements and requirements would be provided.”
“Iran had officially received Saudi Arabia's invitation to meet and hold bilateral talks on the Haj. Our response delivered to Saudi’s minister of Haj by Iranian minister of culture”, he said.
According to ISNA, Ghazi Askar added: “I hope the talks get results and pave the way for holding Haj.”
After hundreds died in a crush and stampede at the 2015 pilgrimage, Iran did not send any of its citizens to the last year Haj, accusing Saudi Arabia of failing to guarantee safety.