Iran Resumes Umrah Pilgrimage After Six-Month Hiatus

Aug 17, 2026

54 min

Aug 17, 2026 16:31

Iran resumes Umrah after six-month pause with 18,000 pilgrims

## Iran Restarts Umrah Pilgrimage

Iran has resumed its Umrah pilgrimage program to Saudi Arabia after a six-month suspension. In the initial phase, 18,000 pilgrims are set to travel, with flights departing every five days from various provinces.

## Registration and Future Plans

Registration for the pilgrimage will commence in Shahrivar, the sixth month of Iran's Solar Hijri calendar, starting in late August. Currently, around five million individuals hold vouchers for Umrah, awaiting their opportunity to travel.

## Economic Considerations

The continuation of the program hinges on securing flight arrangements and foreign currency. Economic experts suggest that the foreign currency costs should be calculated using the actual exchange rate to avoid financial strain on the government. There are calls for the government to provide foreign currency at a favorable rate to prevent price hikes that could exclude some pilgrims.

## Challenges and Solutions

The Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation is urged to consolidate airline contracts to reduce costs and increase the number of departures. The availability of flights and foreign currency will determine the scale of future Umrah trips.

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