President Rouhani: Iran to Continue Efforts to Shed Light on Mina Tragedy
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made assurances that his administration is resolved to pursue the issue of a recent deadly crush in Mina, Saudi Arabia, in which hundreds of Hajj pilgrims, including 465 Iranians, were killed.
Addressing a huge gathering of people in the northern city of Sari on Monday, President Rouhani expressed sympathy with the bereaved families of the victims of the Mina tragedy and praised the stance taken by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on the issue.
“The duty of the (Iranian) administration to the victims has not been discharged completely,” he noted.
“Our follow-up efforts in diplomatic, political and even legal areas will continue until all aspects of the Mina disaster are clarified,” the president said, adding that his administration is duty-bound to make the efforts.
Earlier on September 30, Ayatollah Khamenei sent a clear message to the Saudi government after the September 24 crush of people in Mina.
The Leader criticized Riyadh for failing to fulfill its duties to repatriate the bodies of the victims to Iran.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has had respect for fraternity in the Islamic world up to now, showing self-restraint and Islamic politeness, Imam Khamenei explained.
“However” the Leader underlined “they (Saudis) should know that the slightest disrespect for tens of thousands of Iranian pilgrims in Mecca and Medina and failing in their duties to transfer the holy bodies (of pilgrims to Iran) will result in Iran’s severe and tough reaction.”
The Leader also called for the formation of a “fact-finding committee” with the participation of the Muslim countries, including Iran, to make an inquiry about the incident.
Many Iranian pilgrims still remain missing following the tragic event.
Iranian officials say some 4700 Hajj pilgrims from different countries died in the tragedy.
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