Over 3m Arbaeen pilgrims cross Iran’s border into Iraq
More than three million pilgrims have crossed Iran’s borders to attend this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage, the commander of Iran’s national police announced Sunday.
Arbaeen, a major Shia Muslim event commemorating the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), draws millions annually to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq, IRNA reported.
The pilgrimage, marked by a mass walk toward Karbala, has seen a significant surge in numbers this year.
“From the start of this year’s operation, over three million pilgrims have crossed our borders,” said Commander Ahmad Reza Radan during a visit to the official Khosravi border crossing.
He added that more than 1.3 million pilgrims have already returned to Iran.
Khosravi Border Terminal, a key gateway between Iran and Iraq, accounted for nearly 450,000 departures and about 120,000 arrivals, Radan noted.
He highlighted the improved facilities and better weather conditions at Khosravi compared to other crossings such as Shalamcheh and Mehran, calling it “a reliable and convenient choice for pilgrims.”
The commander emphasized that the border’s welfare services and infrastructure allow pilgrims to pass through “with speed and ease.” Thanks to coordination between the Kermanshah governor, police, and border officials, services at Khosravi have been enhanced this year. Development plans are underway to further improve conditions for pilgrims next year.
Radan urged those planning to travel in the remaining days before Arbaeen to choose Khosravi crossing, assuring that security forces are fully committed to ensuring their safety.
The Khosravi border is Iran’s oldest official crossing to Iraq for pilgrims heading to the holy shrines in Karbala and Najaf. Historically part of the Silk Road, it remains a strategic gateway linking Iran to Baghdad and beyond.
The border town of Qasr-e Shirin, with over 27,000 residents and more than 186 km of Iraq border, hosts Khosravi and Parvizkhan crossings. It offers 14 lodging facilities with 322 rooms and 1,200 beds to accommodate travelers.
Last year, about one million pilgrims crossed Khosravi during Arbaeen, and this year’s figures have doubled, signaling the growing importance of this route for the pilgrimage.