TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy foreign minister for consular affairs on Friday said thirty-six Iranian pilgrims have been arrested in Iraq for entering the country without a visa.

Hassan Qashqavi said the 36 had been arrested in the previous 48 hours, Tasnim reported.

So far one and half million visas have been issued for Iranians to visit Iraq to observe Arbaeen, he added.

He said it is predicted the number of visas issued for Iranians reaches 3 million by the day of Arbaeen, November 20.

SP/PA