Iran says more than 3.3 million pilgrims have crossed into Iraq for Arbaeen observances

TEHRAN, Iran — More than 3.33 million Iranian pilgrims have crossed into Iraq through border crossings to take part in the Arbaeen commemoration marking the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the head of Iran's Quadruple Visit Central Committee, Ali Akbar Borjmardian, said on Tuesday. Borjmardian gave the figure during an inspection of the Shahid Raeisi station at the Mehran border crossing in western Iran, according to Iranian media. He said 2.3 million visitors had returned to Iran while about 1.03 million remained on Iraqi territory. The official said services for pilgrims at the border crossings and along return routes would continue until the process is safely completed. Iran's Armed Forces General Headquarters Central Command had said on Monday that the number of visitors arriving in Iraq since the start of the Muharram month had exceeded 4,887,660.