TEHRAN – Iran's ambassador to Riyadh has urged Saudi Arabia to release the sole Iranian Hajj pilgrim currently in detention in a Saudi prison.

Ali Reza Enayati made the appeal on his X account on Tuesday, following a meeting with the deputy head of international affairs of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, Waleed Al-Khuraiji.

In his post, Enayati noted that conversations with the Saudi official addressed both regional and bilateral issues, as well as efforts to secure the release of an Iranian pilgrim detained in a Saudi prison. He did not disclose the detainee's identification information.

Another Iranian named Mohammad Khazaei was arrested and imprisoned by the Saudi Arabian Intelligence Agency on charges of media activities against the Zionist regime during this year's Hajj ceremony. Khazaei was freed from prison in August.

The first group of Iranian Umrah pilgrims began their spiritual journey to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on April 22, marking a return after nearly a decade.

In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced the restoration of diplomatic relations, ending seven years of strained ties.