Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia accused Iran on Sunday of sowing “sedition” in Iraq urging the Islamic republic to “stop intervening” in the affairs of its neighbours.
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The dispute has provided another arena for discord between the conservative Sunni Muslim monarchy of Saudi Arabia and the revolutionary Shia republic of Iran, which back opposing sides in Syria and other conflicts across the region.
Ohadi said Saudi Arabia’s disregard for political courtesy was also to blame for canceling the ritual, saying Saudi officials failed to adhere to the good manners even during the negotiations with the Iranian side aimed at discussing arrangements for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
“If it is about measures and procedures, I think we have done more than our duty to meet those needs, but it is the Iranians who have rejected things”, Mr al-Jubeir added.
In 1987, 275 Iranian pilgrims and tens of others from elsewhere were killed by Saudi forces.
“Sending Iranian Shia armed units to Iraq or their training there is unacceptable both on invitation [of the Iraqi authorities] and without it”, Jubeir stated at a joint press conference with his United Kingdom counterpart Philip Hammond broadcast by Al Arabiya Channel.
It would be the first Haj in nearly 30 years to take place without the participation of pilgrims from Iran.
The annual pilgrimage is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which requires that all Muslims able to make the trip do so at least once in their lifetime.
Also, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has said Tehran will exercise restraint with Saudi Arabia on the issue of hajj ritual.
According to Keynoush, although Saudis earn a lot of money during Hajj and despite the fact that the Iranian pilgrims are known to be some of most generous, the Iranian boycott will not affect the Kingdom financially.
Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties and halted flights to and from Iran on January 3 following attacks on vacant Saudi diplomatic premises in Tehran and the city of Mashhad by angry people protesting Nimr’s execution.
Iran’s Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation on Friday announced that the country’s pilgrims would not attend pilgrimage this year.
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“Saudi Arabia is escalating its campaign to delegitimize Iran and limit its influence in the Islamic world”, Mr. Riedel writes, noting that “most Islamic states will not sever ties to Tehran, but if a number do follow the Saudis’ lead, Iran will lose face”. Iranian officials criticized Riyadh for failing to manage large crowds properly and ensure pilgrims’ safety.
