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Iranian Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia to Return Home via Jadidat Arar Crossing

The first Iranian pilgrims’ flights departed from Madinah airport. (Madinah Principality)
The first Iranian pilgrims’ flights departed from Madinah airport. (Madinah Principality)
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Iranian Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia to Return Home via Jadidat Arar Crossing

The first Iranian pilgrims’ flights departed from Madinah airport. (Madinah Principality)
The first Iranian pilgrims’ flights departed from Madinah airport. (Madinah Principality)

Iranian pilgrims began departing Saudi Arabia on Sunday in organized batches under a joint air-and-land travel program, authorities said, following the closure of Iranian airspace following strikes between Iran and Israel.

The move came in line with a directive by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and in response to guidance from Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The first group of pilgrims left Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, heading to Arar Airport near the Saudi border. From there, they will continue their journey overland to the Jadidat Arar border crossing into Iraq.

Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization announced that the return of pilgrims to their country will begin on June 15, Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.

The agency said the arrangements were made in cooperation with the Saudi government. Pilgrims will be flown by Saudi Airlines from Madinah to Arar Airport near the Iraqi border.

From Arar, pilgrims will continue by dedicated buses to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, where they will stay briefly to perform religious visits at the shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt.

Afterward, they will resume their journey to the Iran border using an Iranian land transport fleet before entering the country.

Crown Prince Mohammed had instructed the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide all necessary support to ensure the safe return of Iranian pilgrims and to facilitate their departure given the conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

With direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Iran suspended, a carefully coordinated plan was implemented to evacuate approximately 77,000 stranded pilgrims.

The first group of pilgrims arrived at Jadidat Arar on Sunday. Several daily flights to Arar, each carrying around 350 pilgrims, are being conducted, with roughly 3,000 pilgrims transported each day as part of this initial phase.

These efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian approach to hosting and serving the guests of the Two Holy Mosques, ensuring their safe return home despite complex regional challenges.

The operation underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to facilitating pilgrimage for people of all nationalities.

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Gulf

Crowd Management: A Saudi Industry Built on Advanced Planning, Coordination

Brig. Gen. Talal bin Abdulmohsen bin Shalhoub (SPA)
Brig. Gen. Talal bin Abdulmohsen bin Shalhoub (SPA)
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Crowd Management: A Saudi Industry Built on Advanced Planning, Coordination

Brig. Gen. Talal bin Abdulmohsen bin Shalhoub (SPA)
Brig. Gen. Talal bin Abdulmohsen bin Shalhoub (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said strict enforcement of Hajj regulations, pilgrims’ compliance with movement schedules and efficient crowd management, carried out with the Presidency of State Security and other authorities, had enabled worshippers to perform the rituals safely, smoothly and with peace of mind.

Brigadier General Talal bin Abdulmohsen bin Shalhoub, the ministry’s security spokesman, said managing and organizing Hajj reflected Saudi excellence, delivered by national hands under a leadership that has placed service to the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors at the top of its priorities and mobilized all capabilities to that end.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Brig. Gen. bin Shalhoub said crowd management had become “a Saudi industry” built on advanced planning, field execution, and constant monitoring, with immediate intervention to handle crowd density in Makkah and the holy sites, ensuring smooth movement and pilgrim safety.

He said advance planning rested on proactive strategies that deploy smart technologies and highly qualified personnel, in full coordination with all government agencies involved in the Hajj operation.

The Hajj system, he said, operates through integration and advanced planning, with support and guidance from the country’s leadership and direct follow-up by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee.

The season is managed through precise plans designed to achieve the highest levels of security and safety for pilgrims.

Brig. Gen. bin Shalhoub said the work of the Hajj Security Forces was not confined to Makkah and the entrances to the holy sites, but also covered full supervision of the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign.

He said the campaign’s field track was carried out with high efficiency, alongside an intensive media effort involving all government agencies, foremost the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, through awareness messages in multiple languages and formats.

The goal, he said, was clear: to allow pilgrims to perform their rituals in full security and safety and to ensure that no one violates Hajj security instructions.

Security efforts to organize and protect pilgrims, alongside humanitarian efforts assisting the Guests of God in performing the stoning ritual at the Jamarat (Photo: Ali Khumaj)

Speaking at a press briefing at the Hajj Media Forum in Makkah on Wednesday, the Interior Ministry’s security spokesman said the Hajj Security Forces, in coordination with all participating authorities, were continuing to organize the rituals during the days of Tashreeq and to enforce Hajj regulations and instructions until the end of the season.

He said field security and traffic plans had enabled pilgrims to move to Arafat early, depart for Muzdalifah smoothly and easily, and return to Mina safely and securely, with movement flowing without disruption.

He thanked security personnel across all sectors, including the military, as well as all those serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

He said the Hajj Security Forces, working in coordination with all authorities involved in the season, would continue organizing the rituals during the days of Tashreeq and enforcing Hajj regulations and instructions until the end of Hajj.

Gulf

Pilgrims Complete First Tashreeq Rites, Some Prepare to Leave

Pilgrims perform the rites of the first day of Tashreeq by stoning the three Jamarat (Photo Credit: Adnan Mahdali)
Pilgrims perform the rites of the first day of Tashreeq by stoning the three Jamarat (Photo Credit: Adnan Mahdali)
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Pilgrims Complete First Tashreeq Rites, Some Prepare to Leave

Pilgrims perform the rites of the first day of Tashreeq by stoning the three Jamarat (Photo Credit: Adnan Mahdali)
Pilgrims perform the rites of the first day of Tashreeq by stoning the three Jamarat (Photo Credit: Adnan Mahdali)

Pilgrims completed the rites of the first day of Tashreeq, on Thursday, stoning the three Jamarat in Mina as those in a hurry prepared to leave the holy site after noon on Friday.

They threw pebbles at the small Jamarat, then the middle one, and finally the large Jamarat Al Aqaba, following the example of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him.

Security, organizational and humanitarian efforts help pilgrims perform the stoning ritual at the Jamarat (Photo: Adnan Mahdali)

The guests of God had settled in Mina after performing the rituals of the Day of Sacrifice, which include stoning the Jamarat, shaving or trimming the hair, slaughtering sacrificial animals for those required to do so, and performing Tawaf Al Ifadah.

They performed the rites in a calm spiritual atmosphere, supported by services provided by the Saudi government to help pilgrims complete Hajj with ease and reassurance.

The Jamarat Bridge in Mina saw smooth movement, with pilgrims arriving through designated routes under preplanned crowd management procedures designed to protect their safety, security and comfort.

Plans implemented by security and service agencies helped ensure discipline and organization. They relied on modern technology and studied operating models to manage crowd flows and movement smoothly and safely.

The Saudi Ministry of Health said the general health condition of pilgrims was stable and reassuring. No outbreaks or significant health threats were recorded, it said, citing an efficient healthcare system.

Pilgrims in a hurry will leave Mina after noon on Friday, the 12th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, after stoning the three Jamarat, the small, the middle, and the large, with seven pebbles each.

They will then head to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform the Farewell Tawaf, the final ritual of Hajj.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it had provided more than 2,000 electronic and awareness services to help the guests of God access various services.

The ministry said it would continue to work with partner agencies to carry out plans for grouping and moving pilgrims according to precise timetables, ensuring easier movement and more efficient organization and services.

It urged pilgrims to follow official instructions and contact the unified call center at 1966 for round-the-clock support, guidance, and assistance, saying this would help ensure a safe, organized, and smooth Hajj experience.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said it had prepared designated routes for pilgrims entering the Grand Mosque, in accordance with preplanned crowd management procedures aimed at ensuring their safety and comfort, in coordination with and in constant communication with relevant authorities.

The National Water Company said water pumping continued around the clock through networks serving the holy sites and the Grand Mosque's facilities. It said distribution in recent days had run efficiently, with no significant interruptions.

The company said its operating system is based on water networks extending over 5,700 kilometers and environmental services networks totaling more than 4,000 kilometers, supporting efficient supply and sustainable services for pilgrims.

A volunteer from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority helps keep pilgrims cool (Photo: Adnan Mahdali)

In Madinah, government agencies completed preparations to receive the first groups of pilgrims in a hurry, who were due to begin arriving this evening by bus and the Haramain High Speed Railway after completing their rituals.

Their arrival at the Prophet’s Mosque will be accompanied by guidance and organizational services to facilitate the entry of visitors and worshippers to Al Rawdah Al Sharifah, in accordance with prior bookings through approved applications and within the site’s capacity.

Relevant agencies have begun implementing post-Hajj operational plans and stepped up field efforts to keep traffic flowing smoothly and maintain the highest levels of security on the main roads used by pilgrims heading to Madinah.

Gulf

Kuwait Condemns Iranian Attacks on Its Territory; Gulf States Denounce Assaults

Saudi Arabia and Gulf states condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory (KUNA)
Saudi Arabia and Gulf states condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory (KUNA)
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Kuwait Condemns Iranian Attacks on Its Territory; Gulf States Denounce Assaults

Saudi Arabia and Gulf states condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory (KUNA)
Saudi Arabia and Gulf states condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory (KUNA)

Kuwait strongly condemned what it described as “criminal Iranian attacks” targeting its territory with missiles and drones on Thursday morning. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states also condemned the Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory.

In a statement, Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry expressed the country’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the “criminal Iranian attacks that targeted Kuwaiti territory with missiles and drones in a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, as well as a direct threat to civilians and vital facilities.”

The ministry said the escalation comes at a time when intensive efforts are being made by several brotherly and friendly countries to reduce tensions, de-escalate the situation and spare the region further escalation, adding that the attacks increase the gravity of the situation and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving regional security and stability.

It called on Iran to immediately and unconditionally halt the attacks and bear full responsibility for them, describing them as blatant aggression against Kuwait’s sovereignty and a serious violation of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026.

The ministry stressed that Kuwait reserves its full right to take all necessary measures to preserve its security and defend its territory and vital facilities against any aggression or threat, based on its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and the rules of international law.

Saudi Arabia Condemns the Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom’s condemnation and denunciation “in the strongest terms” of the hostile missile and drone attacks against Kuwait.

In a statement, the ministry said: “The Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of violations of state sovereignty and attempts to threaten the region’s security and stability.”

Saudi Arabia also expressed solidarity with Kuwait, government and people, renewing its full support for all measures taken by Kuwait to preserve its sovereignty, security, stability and people.

Qatar: Flagrant Violation of International Law

Qatar strongly condemned the targeting of Kuwait with missiles and drones, describing it as a blatant violation of its sovereignty and a flagrant breach of international law.

In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry reiterated the country’s full solidarity with Kuwait and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty and security.

It stressed the need to spare the region the consequences of what it described as unjustified attacks and to work toward de-escalation to restore regional and international security and stability.

UAE: Flagrant Violation

The United Arab Emirates also condemned “in the strongest terms the Iranian terrorist attacks” targeting Kuwait with missiles and drones.

The Emirates News Agency quoted a Foreign Ministry statement saying the “terrorist attacks represent a flagrant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and a threat to its security and stability.”

The ministry expressed the UAE’s full solidarity with Kuwait and support for all efforts aimed at preserving its security and stability.

Bahrain Condemns Attacks

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah received a phone call from Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani, during which the two sides condemned the “criminal Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait.”

Both sides affirmed Kuwait’s full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, preserve its security and stability, and safeguard its citizens and residents.

GCC: Treacherous Aggression

Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned “in the strongest terms the continued criminal Iranian attacks on Kuwait.”

In a post on X, the GCC General Secretariat quoted Albudaiwi as saying the continued “treacherous attacks” constitute a flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter and the principles of good neighborliness.

He affirmed the GCC states’ full support for Kuwait in all measures it takes to preserve its security, stability and the safety of its citizens and residents.

Kuwaiti Army: Air Defenses Intercepted Missile Attacks

Earlier Thursday, the Kuwaiti army’s General Staff announced that the country’s air defenses had intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks.

In a press statement, the General Staff said that “any explosion sounds heard were the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks,” calling on the public to comply with security and safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities.