Pakistan, May 18 -- In a major step towards strengthening ties, a Saudi airline has resumed Hajj flights from Iran for the first time since 2015. The flights are being operated by Flynas and are specifically arranged for Iranian pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage. A Saudi civil aviation authority official confirmed that the flights began on Saturday from Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport.

In addition to Tehran, flights will also operate from Mashhad, a key Iranian city. This arrangement will allow over 35,000 Iranian pilgrims to travel to Saudi Arabia this year. The official highlighted that these flights are strictly for the purpose of Hajj and are not part of regular commercial travel. The pilgrimage is set to begi...