Saudi Arabia: No specific arrangements with Iran

"The kingdom is focused and making the best efforts to ensure the highest security for pilgrims from all Islamic countries without exception," a spokesman of the Saudi Hajj Ministry told the state news agency SPA.

"There are no specific arrangements with the Iranians for any preferential treatment," he added.

In January, Iran urged Saudi Arabia, which follows the Wahhabi school, to end "its mistreatment" of Iranian Shia pilgrims in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Tehran warned that it would prevent Iranians from undertaking umrah, or minor pilgrimages unless Saudi Arabia ends "its mistreatment of Iranian pilgrims."

The warning came after a series of shocking reports shed light on the serious misconduct of Saudi police in dealing with Iranian pilgrims.

The controversy surfaced publicly in 2007, when the Saudi police started fingerprinting Iranian pilgrims -- a move that caused an outcry from Tehran.

/Press TV/