Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened a “fierce” reaction on Wednesday if Saudi Arabia does not quickly repatriate victims of last week’s Hajj stampede.
“Saudi officials are failing to do their duties,” Khamenei said in a speech to graduating navy officers following delays in the return of more than 200 Iranian bodies. “If Iran wants to react… our response will be fierce.”
Khamenei also called on Muslim countries to investigate the deadly crush last Thursday that killed 769 people, including at least 239 Iranians.
“Representatives from Iran and the Islamic world should go to Saudi Arabia and investigate the cause of the Hajj incident,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by Fars news agency.