Saudis under fire after hajj disaster
IRAN’S Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has accused Saudi Arabia of hampering the transfer of bodies of Iranian pilgrims killed in a crush at hajj last week, adding fuel to a growing spat over the disaster in which nearly 800 people died.
Iran has been the most vocal in its criticism of Saudi Arabia for the disaster last Thursday, in which at least 239 Iranians were killed.
Iranian officials say Saudi Arabia has not done enough to identify and transfer the bodies of the victims to Iran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Wednesday that Iran will not allow a single Iranian to be buried in Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia failed
to help the injured and are causing trouble in transfer of the bodies to Iran,” Khamenei told graduates of the Iranian Army’s military academies.
“We have shown self-restraint so far, but the Saudis should know Iran is more powerful and has more capabilities and they cannot compete with us in any front,” he added.
Iranian officials have said the overall total death toll in the crush on Thursday near Mecca is more than 1 000. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the deaths of 769 people.
The crush – the deadliest to befall the annual rite in Saudi Arabia for a quarter of a century – happened as two large groups of pilgrims converged at a crossroads outside Mecca. — Reuters