Al Mayadeen English
With over 1.47 million international pilgrims already arriving for the 2025 Hajj, Saudi Arabia continues to enforce strict regulations to prevent overcrowding and heat deaths during the pilgrimage. A long-standing quota system allocates Hajj slots by country based on its population, while entry restrictions ahead of the Hajj seasons are tightened to curb unauthorized pilgrims, which the Saudi Ministry of Interior warned against. Otherwise, performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit can result in a 20,000 SAR (5331.89 USD) fine, deportation, and a 10-year re-entry ban into the country.
Kit Klarenberg
Timo Al-Farooq
Exclusive | Araghchi on the relations between the IAEA and Iran
In an exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, describing it as a political move aimed at fostering cooperation between Iran and the Agency. Araghchi highlighted Iran's willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and technical negotiations to resolve outstanding issues. However, he criticized European countries like France, Britain, and Germany for undermining this process by submitting a political draft against Iran before Grossi even returned from Tehran. The Foreign Minister warned that such actions will not deter Iran from its commitment to cooperation and will only complicate the situation further, as past pressures have proven ineffective.
