“As was announced before, Iran has already received no invitation from Saudi government for next year Hajj”, he insisted.

Ghasemi said, “Naturally after receiving any invitations and if the conditions are available, relevant organizations and organs will consider the issue and decide”.

More than 1.8 million faithful took part in 2016, but Iranians stayed at home for the first time in three decades after tensions between Riyadh and Tehran boiled over following a deadly stampede during the 2015 pilgrimage.

On September 24, 2015, a deadly crush occurred after two large masses of pilgrims converged at a crossroads in Mina during the symbolic ceremony of the stoning of Satan in Jamarat.

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