Iran sends team to Saudi Arabia for hajj talks

Iran said Wednesday it has sent a team for talks in Saudi Arabia on the next annual pilgrimage after missing the hajj in 2016 at a time of rising tensions between the two countries.

"A delegation has been sent from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Saudi Arabia to follow up on the hajj," Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri told state television.

"Iran's policy is to send pilgrims to the hajj (this year), of course, if Saudi Arabia accepts our conditions," he said.

"In a letter I've written to the Saudi hajj minister I have specified our conditions...

"If they accept our conditions, we will definitely send pilgrims (this) year, otherwise the responsibility" will be on Saudi Arabia, said Amiri.