Taking a Shot at Saudis, Iran asks United Nations to Investigate Haj Disaster

Iran has asked the United Nations to launch an investigation into the stampede at the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that left at least 769 dead after a stampede broke out among the crowd of 2.2 million worshipers. The official toll of wounded is 934. Iran and Saudi Arabia are bitter rivals for leadership of the Middle East and the Muslim world, and the Saudi tragedy presented Iran with the opportunity to embarrass the kingdom before the world body. On Saturday, Iran’s state prosecutor said he will take the Saudis to court over the incident which he termed, “criminal.” The stampede itself occurred when two large groups of pilgrims arrived simultaneously at a crossroad to Jumarat where part of the ceremony of the Haj, the “stoning of the devil,” takes place. Saudi King Salman had already announced a review of procedures and a full investigation. But politicizing the event, Iranian President Rohani suggested in his speech that the reason for the tragedy was that experienced officers who normally control the flow of people had been transferred to Yemen where the Saudis are supporting the regime against Iranian-proxy fighters who temporarily overthrew the incumbent government.