Iran and Saudi Arabia have sought to tone down a war of words over last week's haj disaster, with Riyadh offering condolences to its regional rival over what Tehran said were 464 Iranians killed in the crush near Mecca.

Saudi and Iranian media said the message of sympathy was delivered at a meeting between the two countries' health ministers in the Saudi Red Sea port city of Jeddah.

"The meeting was positive and the Saudi Minister announced the King's condolences to the Supreme Leader, and the government and people of Iran," Iranian Health Minister Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi said.

Iran has been vocal in its criticism of Saudi Arabia for last week's disaster at the annual Muslim pilgrimage, with officials accusing the kingdom of lack of cooperation over identifying the victims and transferring their bodies back home.

Iranian officials have alleged the overall total death toll is more than 1,000. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the deaths of 769 people.