Muslims from around the world are gathering in Saudi Arabia for the most important day of the annual hajj pilgrimage.

On Tuesday, pilgrims made their way toward Mount Arafat to offer prayers. The hill is the place where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his final sermon.

Saudi officials expect more than 2 million pilgrims to take part in the religious gathering in the holy city of Mecca and surrounding areas this year.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic ties with Iran after a seven-year rift.

Flights resumed on June 17 for pilgrims from the Yemeni capital Sanaa, the stronghold of Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

At the international airport in Sanaa, the first group of pilgrims departed for the pilgrimage since the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen in 2015. Dozens of pilgrims clad in white robes were seen off by their families as they boarded the plane.