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.
