As Saudi Arabia continues its investigation on the Hajj stampede that killed more than 700 pilgrims, Iran is throwing all the punches it can against the kingdom.
The country of Iran has faced the highest known death toll in the incident with 131 nationals killed, according to al-Arabiya. Morocco was at the second-highest with 87. But Iran's animosity toward Saudi Arabia led to some questionable coverage.
Rumors from Iran said Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammad bin Salman al-Saud's convoy caused a panic that started the stampede.
“The report said the presence of the prince in the middle of the population prompted a change in the direction of the movement of the pilgrims and a stampede,” Iran-owned Press TV said. “The Lebanese daily further said that Salman and his entourage swiftly abandoned the scene, adding that the Saudi authorities seek to hush up the entire story and impose a media blackout on Salman’s presence in the area.”
Press TV also reported 2,000 people were killed from the stampede, far more than all other news outlets that put the death toll at 717. And here's the hashtag Press TV used to report on the Mina incident.
Toll from Hajj stampede outside Mecca reaches 2,000: Sources #AlSaud_Killing_Muslims Read: http://t.co/OyRX6b18vE pic.twitter.com/1EPDwHZajk
— Press TV (@PressTV) September 25, 2015@PressTV, this is way out of line #AlSaud_Killing_Muslims
— Munkaila Mohammed (@ThisIsKaila) September 25, 2015Of course, Iran's not the only one pointing fingers at the Saudi government.
saudi changed the infrastructure so the streets are 1-way. a reason for #MinaStampede is people trying to go back the way they came #hajj
— Ethar El-Katatney (@etharkamal) September 24, 2015But then there are others who came to Saudi Arabia's defense.
#Saudi ambassador to UK attacks 'malicious rumours' spread by #Iran about #Hajj disaster
— Ian Black (@ian_black) September 25, 2015The attitudes of #Iranians over the #Hajj tragedy is as despicable as the 'alleged' cover up. They cant cover up the matter.
— Aisha (@AishsVoice) September 25, 2015The probe continues, and the Iranian government is demanding to be a part of it.
"Countries such as Iran, which have suffered so much, should be represented in the inquiry to determine the causes of the catastrophe and to gain assurances that it will not be repeated in the future," Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said.
By Hayat Norimine
