Tehran: The head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, Alireza Rashidian, has announced the delivery of a message from President Masoud Pezeshkian to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Rashidian traveled to Saudi Arabia to finalize the planning stages for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, highlighting the significance of Hajj and Umrah to the Iranian administration. He stated that President Pezeshkian had prepared a special message for the Crown Prince, which Rashidian delivered during his visit.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Rashidian expressed hope that the message would foster friendship and enhance relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, potentially leading to closer collaboration. Earlier in the day, Iran and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement on organizing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, marking a step forward in coordinating pilgrimage affairs between the two nations.

The agreement was finalized during an official meeting between Rashidian and Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah. During the discussions, both sides emphasized the importance of facilitating administrative and service procedures, and they explored ways to improve the quality of services provided to pilgrims visiting the holy sites.