TEHRAN: Iran suspended all Umrah pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia on Monday amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, state television reported.

Iran’s Culture Ministry made the decision over alleged abuse suffered by two male Iranian pilgrims traveling through Jeddah airport in March, the station reported.

A representative of Iran’s top leader on Haj affairs downplayed the case, saying the pilgrims weren’t abused, the Fars reported.

“In the incident, no abuse has happened and the two policemen who attempted abuse were identified and detained by Saudi police,” Ali Ghaziasgar was quoted as saying.