Latest news with #ISNA
LBCI
2 days ago
- General
- LBCI
Saudi Arabia frees Iran cleric it detained ahead of hajj: Iran media
Saudi authorities have released a well-known Iranian religious figure they detained ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage to the Muslim holy places, Iranian media reported on Thursday. "Gholamreza Ghasemian has been released and is on his way to Iran after follow-up by Iranian officials," the ISNA news agency reported. Iran said Wednesday it had held consular meetings with the cleric since his arrest on Monday after a video circulated online showing him criticizing the Saudi government. AFP
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Saudi government frees Iranian cleric Gholamreza Ghasemian after being arrested for ‘obscene concerts' remarks
Iranian cleric Gholamreza Ghasemian (Image credit: X/InfoSudLiban) Iranian cleric Gholamreza Ghasemian, who was arrested for his controversial 'obscene concerts' remarks, was freed by the Saudi government on Thursday, ISNA reported. Saudi authorities arrested Ghasemian on Monday while he was performing rituals of the hajj in Mecca after a video went viral. In a veiled attack on the Saudi government, Ghasemian, dressed in a white pilgrimage robe, had accused them of turning the Qibla -– the direction Muslims face in prayer -– into "a place for gambling houses, centres of debauchery, and obscene concerts".His comments referred to the social changes made in recent years by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader. ISNA confirmed that Gholamreza Ghasemian is currently on his way back to Iran, following efforts by Iranian officials to secure his release. 'Obscene...': Iranian Cleric's Viral Video 'Insult' Rocks Saudi; Tehran Hajj Visas Halted I Details Earlier, reacting to the arrest, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, on Tuesday evening, said on X, "Iran in no uncertain terms condemns any attempt to harm Muslim unity, particularly in the spiritual atmosphere of the hajj." "We are determined to not allow anyone to sabotage relations with our brotherly neighbours, including the progressive path of Iran and Saudi Arabia", Araghchi added. Expressing his personal opinions, Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir described the cleric's arrest as "unjustified and unlawful". The controversy has strained ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. According to the Iran Wire, Riyadh has now suspended Hajj visas issuance for Iranians. Riyadh's move has affected Iranian pilgrims participating in this year's Hajj.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Iran confirms meetings with cleric held in KSA
Listen to article Iran said Wednesday it has held consular meetings with a cleric detained during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to local media. Gholamreza Ghasemian, a well-known cleric and religious figure in Iran, was arrested in the kingdom on Monday after a video circulated online showing him criticising the Saudi government, Iran's ISNA news agency reported. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the arrest. In the footage, Ghasemian, dressed in white pilgrimage robes, accused Saudi leaders of turning the Qibla into "a place for gambling houses, centres of debauchery, and obscene concerts". Alireza Bayat, head of Iran's Hajj organisation, said Iranian officials had held three consular meetings with Ghasemian in coordination with the embassy and consulate in Jeddah, ISNA reported.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Iran confirms consular meetings with cleric detained in Saudi Arabia
TEHRAN: Iran said Wednesday it has held consular meetings with a cleric detained during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to local media. Gholamreza Ghasemian, a well-known cleric and religious figure in Iran, was arrested in the kingdom on Monday after a video circulated online showing him criticising the Saudi government, Iran's ISNA news agency reported. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the arrest. In the footage, Ghasemian, dressed in white pilgrimage robes, accused Saudi leaders of turning the holy Qibla into 'a place for gambling houses, centres of debauchery, and obscene concerts'. Alireza Bayat, head of Iran's Hajj organisation, said Iranian officials had held three consular meetings with Ghasemian in coordination with the embassy and consulate in Jeddah, ISNA reported. Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir demanded his release on Tuesday, calling his arrest 'unjustified and unlawful' while adding that his remarks reflected his personal views. 'Nevertheless, we are obliged to defend the rights of our citizens.' Abdolfattah Navvab, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative for Hajj and pilgrimage affairs, also called the cleric's comments 'his personal opinion'. 'He is an active figure in holy Quranic circles, and expectations from him are naturally higher. That said, we expect the honourable authorities of the host country... to allow him to complete his pilgrimage and return home.' On Tuesday night, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that 'Iran in no uncertain terms condemns any attempt to harm Muslim unity, particularly in the spiritual atmosphere of the Hajj.' He did not mention the cleric's case. 'We are determined to not allow anyone to sabotage relations with our brotherly neighbours, including the progressive path of Iran and Saudi Arabia,' he said. Saudi Arabia's defence minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met with Khamenei during a visit to Iran last month — the first high-level encounter of its kind since diplomatic ties were severed.
Bloomberg
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Iran and US Start Fifth Round of Nuclear Talks in Rome
Iran and the US have started their next round of talks on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency reported. The delegations are headed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, ISNA added. The talks are taking place in Rome and are being mediated by Oman.
