Saudi Arabia has cut its links with Iran further by halting direct flights that carry pilgrims between the Islamic Republic and the kingdom.

These flights number about 150, according a report by UK news agency Reuters.

Saudi’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) is also understood to have issued an advisory for the national carriers of both countries, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) and Iran Air, to take necessary measures to avoid adverse impact on passengers with advanced bookings.

The Saudi government has also repeatedly indicated that pilgrims from Iran, whose numbers hit thousands every month, are still welcome in Saudi Arabia.

Instead of direct flights, it has been suggested that pilgrims can take connecting flights with other Gulf airlines such as Dubai’s Emirates airline and Qatar Airways.

Emirates confirmed with MEED on 5 January that there have been no changes to its operations as far as direct flights to Iran are concerned.

The flag carrier operates four daily flights to Tehran and introduced five weekly flights to Mashhad, Iran’s second-most populous city, in September.

Halting direct flights to and trade with Iran is a strategic decision that aligns with the Saudi government’s move to sever diplomatic ties with Iran following a dispute arising from the execution of Saudi Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, among 47 others, on account of terror-related convictions.

Bahrain immediately followed Saudi Arabia’s lead, announcing the stoppage of all direct flights between Manama and Iran on 5 January.

In addtion to Bahrain, Sudan, the UAE and Kuwait have downgraded their diplomatic presence in Iran since 4 January,