The Iranian side insists on the opening of Khosravi border shared with Iraq for facilitating the passage of Iranian pilgrims, while the Iraqi side opposes the idea due to lack of adequate security over the Iraqi border.
Qasim al-Araji has said that Iraq would try to open a new consulate in the Iranian city of Ilam but did not mention the exact date for its inauguration.
During the Arbaeen pilgrimage, millions of Muslims from as many as 60 countries across the world will gather in Iraq’s holy city of Karbala to commemorate the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, the third Shia Imam.
This year, the Arbaeen mourning ceremonies will be observed on November 9.
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