Iran Holds Funeral For Diplomat Killed In Saudi Hajj Stampede

Iran has held a ceremonious funeral for its former ambassador to Lebanon, who was killed in the hajj stampede outside the Muslim holy city of Mecca in September.

The Iranian Army honor guard carried the flag-draped coffin of Ghazanfar Roknabadi as thousands attended the funeral in Tehran following Friday Prayers on November 27.

Iranian media reported the body of Roknabadi, who was declared missing, was identified through fingerprints and DNA testing.

His body was returned to Iran on November 26.

Iran lost 465 pilgrims in the stampede and has blamed the Saudi government for the disaster, accusing it of mismanagement.

At least 2,236 worshippers perished in the giant crush at Mina, near Mecca, in western Saudi Arabia.

It was the deadliest tragedy to ever strike the annual hajj pilgrimage.

The official Saudi toll of 769 people killed has not changed since September.

Based on reporting by AP and Press TV