LBCI

Iran suspends Saudi pilgrimage flights over sexual assault allegations

Breaking Headlines

13-04-2015 | 04:24

Share

Share

Iran suspends Saudi pilgrimage flights over sexual assault allegations

2^min

Iran has suspended flights to Saudi Arabia for the year-round Umrah Islamic pilgrimage over allegations that Saudi security officers sexually assaulted two Iranian boys, Culture Minister Ali Jannati said on Monday.

The move is likely to deepen tensions between the two regional powers, who are at odds over the war in Yemen.

The teenage boys alleged last week that the officers abused them while conducting a security search at Jeddah airport.

"Until these guilty people are put on trial and punished, the Umrah will be stopped and Iranian flights will be suspended," the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) cited Jannati as saying.

The boys were returning to Tehran from the Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year other than during the Hajj.

Several hundred protesters marched on the Saudi embassy in Tehran on Saturday, despite a ban on public demonstrations.

Jannati said the Saudi authorities had arrested the perpetrators and promised to punish them, ISNA reported.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

suspends

Saudi

pilgrimage

flights

sexual

assault

allegations

Next

A patient at Notre Dame De Liban Hospital - Jounieh urgently needs A+ blood type, to donate please call: 70 281 616

Recommended For You

A patient at Notre Dame De Liban Hospital - Jounieh urgently needs A+ blood type, to donate please call: 70 281 616

Breaking Headlines

2026-06-22

A patient at Notre Dame De Liban Hospital - Jounieh urgently needs A+ blood type, to donate please call: 70 281 616

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Lebanese delegation holds coordination meeting ahead of first Pentagon military talks

2026-05-28

Lebanese delegation holds coordination meeting ahead of first Pentagon military talks

Chevron won't pay toll to move ships through Hormuz, CEO tells Bloomberg TV

2026-05-29

Chevron won't pay toll to move ships through Hormuz, CEO tells Bloomberg TV

Israeli army issues urgent evacuation warning for Tyre and surrounding areas

2026-05-28

Israeli army issues urgent evacuation warning for Tyre and surrounding areas

Israeli army says cross-border operation launched from Mount Hermon into southern Lebanon

2026-03-29

Israeli army says cross-border operation launched from Mount Hermon into southern Lebanon

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

1

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

2

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

3

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

4

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

5

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

6

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

7

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

8

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More