Saudi Bars Iranian Pilgrim Flight for Lack of Permit

Saudi Arabia has barred an Iranian plane carrying Muslim pilgrims to Mecca from entering its airspace because the flight had not applied for a permit, aviation authorities said Thursday.

The plane was carrying 260 passengers heading to perform the lesser pilgrimage, but it was denied access to the kingdom's airspace Wednesday afternoon "due to the lack of a permit" to fly to Saudi Arabia, the kingdom's aviation authority said.

Tension between the two countries has intensified after Saudi Arabia launched last month an air campaign against Iran-linked Huthi Shiite rebels in Yemen.

"Such violations, whether committed by an Iranian airline or others, would not be allowed in Saudi airspace," said civil aviation spokesman Khaled al-Khaibari, in a statement carried by SPA state news agency.

He said airline operators should apply in advance for a permit to travel to the kingdom.