Officials in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province have reported a record surge in the number of Afghan pilgrims passing through the country en route to Iraq for the annual Arbaeen religious observances.
According to Teymour Ali Asgari, Deputy Governor for Culture, Social Affairs and Pilgrimage, an estimated 150,000 Afghan nationals are currently waiting to travel to Iraq to take part in the ceremonies, which mark the 40th day of mourning after Ashura.
Asgari stated that many of the pilgrims are entering Iran using their own chartered buses and are continuing their journey to Iraq via designated transit routes.
Last year, approximately 50,000 Afghan pilgrims travelled from Afghanistan, while an additional 25,000 Afghan nationals residing in Iran particularly in the city of Mashhad also made the pilgrimage to Iraq. This year’s figures represent a threefold increase compared to 2024.
Iranian authorities, including the Ministry of Intelligence and consular offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in both Afghanistan and Iraq, are reportedly coordinating efforts to manage the growing number of pilgrims and ensure smooth transit through Iranian territory.
Asgari also noted that last year, some Afghan pilgrims remained in Iraq after Arbaeen or temporarily stayed in Iran upon returning. He said that this trend is expected to grow in the current year.
Each year, tens of thousands of Afghan pilgrims travel to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala to participate in Arbaeen rituals, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
