Iranian Muslims will miss the annual Haj pilgrimage in September this year because Tehran and Riyadh failed to agree organisational details after they cut diplomatic ties in January, the Irna news agency reported on Thursday.

"The arrangements have not been put together and it's now too late," said Tehran's Islamic Guidance and Culture Minister Ali Jannati, whose ministry oversees arrangements for Iranian pilgrims.

Tensions between the regional rivals led to Riyadh breaking off diplomatic ties in January after protesters in Iran attacked Saudi diplomatic missions there.

Iranian and Saudi officials have held talks to resolve the matter but has so far failed to make any progress, Iranian officials said.

Jannati said the Saudis "did not accept our proposals on security, transportation and visa issuing for Iranian pilgrims".

Riyadh has rejected Iran's request that visas for its pilgrims be issued through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which has looked after Saudi interests since the Iranian embassy there was closed.

"Saudi officials say Iranian pilgrims should get their Saudi visas from a third country as Riyadh's missions are closed in Iran," Jannati said.

However, a culture ministry official said Iran was "very concerned over the security of Iranians during the holy ceremony" and that talks with Saudi authorities were continuing. - Reuters