World Bulletin / News Desk 

Iranian state television is reporting that the Iran has suspended all minor hajj trips to Saudi Arabia amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

The report Monday said Iran's Culture Ministry made the decision over alleged abuse suffered by two male Iranian pilgrims traveling through Saudi's Jeddah airport in March. The alleged abuse, the details of which authorities have not publicly discussed, has sparked unauthorized protests at the Saudi Embassy in Tehran.

"Until these guilty people are put on trial and punished, the Umrah will be stopped and Iranian flights will be suspended," ISNA cited Culture Minister Ali Jannati as saying.

The Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca, can be undertaken at any time of the year other than during the Hajj.

Some 500,000 Iranians visit Saudi Arabia each year for the minor hajj, which involves pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina, two of Islam's holiest sites.