The number of Iranian pilgrims this year will reach around 86,500 and they will arrive in Saudi Arabia in 600 batches.

:: Iran on Sunday sent its first batch of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The pilgrims left Iran from the Bandar Abbas International Airport. According to the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization, the first flight departed at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday via Iran Air. Two more flights at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. will also depart on Sunday.

Qazi Askar, the Iranian Hajj Mission supervisor, had said the necessary measures to send the first batch of pilgrims have been finalized.

The number of Iranian pilgrims this year will reach around 86,500 and they will arrive in Saudi Arabia in 600 batches.