First of Iranian Hajj Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

Muslim pilgrims pray near the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca. (AFP)
Muslim pilgrims pray near the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca. (AFP)
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First of Iranian Hajj Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

Muslim pilgrims pray near the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca. (AFP)
Muslim pilgrims pray near the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca. (AFP)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Benten revealed on Sunday that the first Iranian pilgrims had started arriving in the Kingdom to perform the annual Hajj rites.

He stressed that the ministry has completed preparations of all Hajj services for the pilgrims, including Iranians, who started arriving in Saudi Arabia.

The Iranian pilgrims landed in Medina.

Preparations to receive pilgrims from Qatar are also complete, said Benten.

The minister had inspected the contract signed between the south Asia company and the pilgrims affairs office, as well as the contract signed between the company and the Qatar pilgrims affairs bureau.

In addition, he toured the civil institutions for non-Arab pilgrims from African countries and South Asia in order to present the operation plans for the 2017 Hajj season.

The presentation included several of the programs, goals, and execution, assessment and supervision mechanisms.

He also presented the food, transportation, awareness and accommodation services and efforts to improve them in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

At the end of his tour, Benten stressed the importance of providing quality services that reflect the hospitality of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques towards the pilgrims.

He highlighted the importance of Hajj organizers exerting efforts and bolstering cooperation to offer the best services and ensure the success of this year’s pilgrimage.



Iran Says Uranium Enrichment a Red Line that Will Not be Compromised

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. Photo: Iran parliament website
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. Photo: Iran parliament website
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Iran Says Uranium Enrichment a Red Line that Will Not be Compromised

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. Photo: Iran parliament website
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. Photo: Iran parliament website

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi has stressed that uranium enrichment inside Iran remains a clear red line that will not be compromised.

The spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said Takht-e Ravanchi stated in a commission session that Iran would not negotiate over its red lines in talks with the US.

According to Mehr News Agency, Ebrahim Rezaei, revealed details of Sunday's commission meeting, explaining that Takht-e Ravanchi presented a report on the recent negotiations held in Oman between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Takht-e Ravanchi referenced the two previous rounds of talks in Muscat and Rome, emphasizing that while earlier discussions were general, the expectation now was to move toward detailed negotiations.

He highlighted the contradictory positions taken by the Americans and stressed that uranium enrichment inside Iran remains a clear red line that will not be compromised.

This round of talks focused on defining a framework to move into more detailed discussions, according to him.