Sun May 18 16:52:36 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

After a decade of strained relations, a Saudi airline, Flynas, has resumed flights for Iranian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. This resumption, commencing from Tehran and soon from Mashhad, allows over 35,000 Iranian pilgrims to travel to Saudi Arabia. The move is a significant indicator of warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran following a China-brokered reconciliation in March 2023. This progress follows other collaborative steps, including exchanging ambassadors, ministerial visits, and the resumption of Iran Air operations between Mashhad and Dammam. These developments also occur as the U.S. and Iran pursue a new nuclear agreement.

**News Article:**

**Saudi Airline Resumes Flights for Iranian Hajj Pilgrims After Decade-Long Hiatus**

**Riyadh – May 18, 2025** – In a significant step towards normalized relations, Saudi Arabian airline Flynas has resumed flights for Iranian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. This marks the first time in a decade that a Saudi airline has directly facilitated travel for Iranian pilgrims.

Flights commenced Saturday from Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, with plans to expand service to Mashhad. According to a Saudi civil aviation authority official, these flights will enable over 35,000 Iranian pilgrims to participate in this year’s Hajj, which begins in early June. The official emphasized that the flights are dedicated solely to the Hajj pilgrimage and are not commercial routes.

The resumption of flights follows a China-brokered agreement in March 2023 to restore diplomatic ties between the Shia-dominated Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, ending a seven-year rupture. Relations deteriorated in 2016 after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked following Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Shiite cleric.

Since the rapprochement, both countries have taken several measures to improve their relationship, including exchanging ambassadors, high-level visits, and the resumption of Iran Air flights between Mashhad and Dammam.

The warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran also coincide with ongoing talks between the United States and Iran regarding a new nuclear agreement. The recent developments signal a potential shift in regional dynamics and a move towards greater stability.

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