Hajj stampede: Iran's Khamenei calls for Saudi apology

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Iran's supreme leader has called on Saudi Arabia to apologise for Thursday's deadly stampede during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's remarks came after a speech by President Hassan Rouhani at the UN in which he called for an investigation.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of playing politics with a tragedy.

At least 769 people died in the crush, more than 140 of them from Iran.

It was the deadliest incident to hit the Hajj in 25 years.

Disaster puts pressure on Saudis

Hajj's safety concerns

In pictures: Aftermath of the stampede

Hajj stampede: What we know so far

Deadly pinch point at Jamarat Bridge

People ask who is to blame

The crush occurred on Thursday morning as two large groups of pilgrims converged at right angles as they took part in the Hajj's last major rite - stone-throwing at pillars called Jamarat, where Satan is believed to have tempted the Prophet Abraham.

"This issue will not be forgotten and the nations will pursue it seriously," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

"Instead of accusing this and that, the Saudis should accept the responsibility and apologise to the Muslims and the victims' families