TEHRAN
Tehran has suspended pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, according to the Iranian minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
Ali Jannati announced Monday on state television that the pilgrimages to the holy city Mecca, called umrah, had been suspended after two Iranian teenagers were allegedly sexually abused last week by Saudi officials at an airport.
Umrah designates a pilgrimage to Mecca that can be taken by Muslims any time of the year, contrary to the hajj, which takes place in September. It has not been specified whether the suspension includes the hajj.
Jannati said that the suspension would last as long as the suspects for the alleged abuse of the two Iranian teenage boys at Jeddah's International Airport were not tried.
He also referred to political connections with Saudi Arabian authorities which promised to try the suspects.
Hundreds of Iranians protested in Tehran over the alleged abuse, which reportedly took place as Saudi official were performing body searches on passengers.
Tensions between Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia are at an all-time high as sectarian violence continues to plague Yemen.
Fractious Yemen has remained in turmoil since last September, when the Shiite Houthis overran capital Sanaa, from which they have sought to extend their influence to other parts of the country.
Since March 25, Saudi Arabia has led other Gulf countries in an air campaign against Houthi positions in Yemen.
Certain Gulf States accuse Shiite Iran of supporting Yemen's Houthi insurgency.
