TEHRAN – The deputy foreign minister for consular and expatriates affairs has said that so far more than 1.1 million visas have been issued for pilgrims who are planning to visit Iraq to observe Arbaeen ritual which falls 40 days after Ashura.

Hassan Ghashghavi also said some 500,000 Iranian pilgrims are expected to travel to Iraq through Khosravi border crossing, Mehr reported on Friday.

Over 2 million Iranians are expected to visit Iraq during the Arbaeen march

Earlier this week, Ghashghavi rejected reports that Iraq has removed visa requirements for Iranian pilgrims, stressing that all visitors need visas from the Iraqi government to cross the border.

MH/PA