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Shiite-dominated Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia have had no diplomatic ties since early last year.

The kingdoms minister in charge of pilgrimages, Mohammed Bentin, discussed with the Iranians arrangements concerning participation of the Iranian faithful in this years hajj, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

SPA said the talks occurred in the context of meetings organised by the pilgrimage ministry with various countries about accommodation and other logistics for the hajj, which will take place around early September.

For the first time in nearly three decades, Irans 64,000 pilgrims did not attend last years hajj after the regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.

Tensions remain as Saudi Arabia repeatedly accuses Iran of fuelling regional conflicts by supporting armed Shiite movements in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain.

Iran rejects the accusations and says Riyadh must stop its support for Sunni terrorists like the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.

But Saudi media reported in December that Bentin had invited Iran to discuss arrangements for this years pilgrimage.

Irans policy is to send pilgrims to the hajj (this year), of course, if Saudi Arabia accepts our conditions, Irans Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri told state television on Wednesday, when he confirmed Iran had sent a team to Saudi Arabia.

In a letter Ive written to the Saudi hajj minister I have specified our conditions, he said.

If they accept our conditions, we will definitely send pilgrims (this) year, otherwise the responsibility will be on Saudi Arabia.

More than 1.8 million faithful took part in last years hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims who can must perform it at least once in their lives.

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Saudi minister in talks with Iran team over hajj - Guardian