The improved relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the first group of Iranian pilgrims in nine years embarked on a journey to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage.

According to Iran’s official news agency, Islamic Republic News Agency (Irna), the initial batch of Umrah pilgrims departed from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport.

Irna reported that a total of 5,720 Iranian Umrah pilgrims were planned to head to Saudi Arabia this year.

This marks a milestone since Tehran and Riyadh agreed to restore ties and reopen their embassies after a prolonged hiatus of more than nine years, facilitated by a China-brokered deal.

While Iranian pilgrims were allowed to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage last year, the Umrah had remained inaccessible to them until now.

The rupture in relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran occurred in 2016 following attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran during protests over the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr Al Nimr by Riyadh.

Although Iranian state media had previously announced the resumption of Umrah pilgrimages to the Saudi city of Mecca, multiple delays were attributed to technical difficulties.

According to Irna, a total of 5,720 Iranian pilgrims are planned to undertake the Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year.

The first group of pilgrims received a ceremonial send-off at the airport, attended by the Saudi ambassador to Tehran, Abdullah bin Saud Al Anazi, and several Iranian officials.

Unlike the Hajj, which follows specific dates according to the lunar calendar, the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca can be undertaken by Muslims throughout the year.

Overall, the resumption of Iranian pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage signifies a positive step in the restoration of relations between the two countries and presents an opportunity for increased people-to-people exchanges.