Detention Of Iranian Propagandist Shows Cracks In Saudi Relations

The ban on Iranian propagandist Ali-Akbar Raefipour leaving Saudi Arabia after the Hajj pilgrimage shows in spite of the recent detente between the two nations, tensions persist.

“Every Iranian who enters Saudi Arabia is terrified about what would happen to him," he said in a statement. "We fought an eight-year war with Iraq, but today millions of Iranians go to religious sites there with no complications. So, the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia must resolve such issues as soon as possible.”

Unconfirmed reports say the hardline regime figure was arrested at Jeddah airport because of using a fake passport; however, in his statement released by the Masaf Institute, a religious, hardliner organization founded and directed by Raefipour and linked to the IRGC, he denied the claim as "rumors". "It must be resolved once and for all," he said.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani confirmed the ban on Monday, claiming Raefipour was not arrested, though he is unable to leave the country, and that Iran's embassy is trying to settle the problem.

In an audio file he released, Raefipour presented more conspiracy theories blaming “the Zionists and the enemies” for such “rumors”.

Hardliner Raefipour promotes apocalyptic views based on Shiite beliefs and the coming of promised savior Mahdi.