Iran says Saudi Arabia has expelled 6 state media journalists ahead of the Hajj after detaining them

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran says that Saudi Arabia expelled six members of a crew from its state television broadcaster after they had been detained for nearly a week in the kingdom ahead of the Hajj. The incident comes a year after Riyadh and Tehran reached a Chinese-mediated detente. There have been tensions for decades between the Sunni and Shiite powerhouses over the holy sites in the kingdom, particularly around the upcoming hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia’s Center for International Communication told The Associated Press early Thursday that the Iranians detained had been in the kingdom on visas only allowing them to perform the Hajj, not work as journalists.