Tehran: An Iranian Hajj official announced that more than 55,000 Iranian pilgrims were unable to attend this year's Hajj pilgrimage as a result of US sanctions. Seyyed Abdolfattah Navvab reported that these individuals, who had been preparing for the pilgrimage for over two decades, had already paid the necessary fees and completed all required arrangements.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Alireza Rashidian, head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, highlighted that initial plans were made for the dispatch of over 86,000 pilgrims. Based on agreements, 86,700 Iranian pilgrims were expected to participate in the Hajj. However, due to the outbreak of war in the region and restrictions imposed by sanctions on currency transfers, only 30,672 pilgrims could make the journey.

Rashidian further mentioned that flights for the Iranian pilgrims are departing from Tehran, Mashhad, and Zahedan airports. So far, over 9,500 Iranian pilgrims have been transported to Saudi Arabia on 43 flights, despite the challenging circumstances imposed by the sanctions and regional instability.