Ilam governor: more than 500,000 pilgrims have crossed the Mehran border since the start of Safar

The governor of Ilam province said on Saturday, 25 July 2026, that more than 500,000 pilgrims have crossed the Mehran international crossing since the start of the month of Safar, and that the border is on full alert for the Arbaeen commemoration.

Mehran is one of the busiest land crossings between Iran and Iraq during Arbaeen and, alongside the Chazabeh, Shalamcheh and Khosravi crossings, carries the bulk of pilgrim traffic.

The scale of Arbaeen travel affects fuel demand, road transport, border services and currency exchange in Iran's western border provinces, making it one of the seasonal events that shape the economy of those regions.