Iran's road maintenance organisation says more than 2.2 million pilgrims have crossed into Iraq through six border points, with 600,000 returning

A spokesperson for the headquarters of Iran's Road Maintenance and Transportation Organisation said on Thursday 30 July 2026 (8 Mordad 1405) that by the end of Wednesday 29 July more than 2.2 million people had crossed out of Iran into Iraq through the country's six border points, with 600,000 having returned.

The figures were released during the movement of pilgrims for Arbaeen. Earlier the same day, the head of Imam Khomeini Airport City Company said that of the airport's 130 daily flights, 60 are dedicated to the Iraqi shrine cities, while the Iran Airports and Air Navigation Company said all of the country's airports had entered a special Arbaeen phase.

Border movement on this scale affects fuel demand, road and air transport capacity and foreign currency demand along Iran's western frontier. The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company in Hormozgan province also said on Thursday that it had mobilised operational and transport capacity to keep fuel supply steady for the fleet carrying pilgrims along the province's transit routes.