Arar/Jeddah, June 19, 2025: In a major coordinated effort, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched and begun implementing a comprehensive operational and logistical plan to facilitate the safe, smooth, and dignified return of Iranian pilgrims who participated in the Hajj 1446 AH. The initiative follows the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the recommendation of His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has established a dedicated operations room to monitor the situation around the clock and oversee all services provided to approximately 76,000 Iranian pilgrims during their stay in Makkah and Madinah. This central coordination unit ensures timely responses to pilgrim needs and the continuous provision of high-quality accommodations, healthcare, transportation, and other essential services.
In line with requests submitted by the Iranian Hajj mission, the Ministry devised an integrated departure plan in collaboration with various Saudi authorities. The plan includes using domestic flights from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport to transport pilgrims to Arar Airport in the Northern Borders Region. From Arar, the pilgrims continue their journey by land through the Jadidat Arar border crossing back into Iran.
Implementation of the plan began on June 15 with the arrival of the first group of Iranian pilgrims at Arar Airport. Upon arrival, they were received by officials from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and partner agencies, who assisted in organizing onward ground transport and border-crossing logistics.
The General Directorate of Passports has deployed its personnel and technical resources at the Jadidat Arar crossing to ensure smooth and efficient exit procedures. Additionally, Public Security authorities in Madinah have coordinated closely with other agencies to manage transportation from the Prophet’s Mosque and key historical sites to airports and ultimately the border crossing.
Field teams from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continue to support all stages of this phased return operation, working jointly with their Iranian counterparts. The operations room remains actively engaged, monitoring every step to ensure that all pilgrims are served with dignity and care until their safe return to their homeland and families.
These efforts underscore Saudi Arabia’s long-standing commitment to serving pilgrims from across the globe and reflect its determination to uphold the highest standards of hospitality and efficiency, even amid sensitive regional circumstances.
