Berk Kutay Gökmen
16 June 2025•Update: 16 June 2025
By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) – Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi announced on Monday that Kabul will facilitate the return of Iranian Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia through Afghanistan.
The top Afghan diplomat made these remarks during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, to discuss the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
Mawlawi condemned Israel's airstrikes on Iran, which targeted not only military bases but also civilian residential areas, calling the attacks a violation of international law and an infringement on Iran's sovereignty.
He also assured cooperation in the safe transfer of Iranian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia via Afghanistan.
Araghchi thanked Kabul for its support in condemning the Israeli regime's attacks on Iran.
The Iranian foreign minister also expressed his appreciation for his counterpart's assurance regarding the transfer of Iranian pilgrims, describing Afghanistan as a supportive and sympathetic country.
Iran has closed its airspace "until further notice" in response to Israeli air strikes.
Riyadh has made comprehensive arrangements for the departure of Iranian pilgrims who have become stranded in Saudi Arabia as part of a joint air-and-land travel program, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said that at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since Friday.
Iran, for its part, said that at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault.
