Iran favors visa waiver for Iraq: Deputy minister

'Since majority of travels from Iran to Iraq and vice versa are for pilgrimage purposes, it would be necessary for both countries to pave the way for facilitating removing of visa,' Zolfaqari told reporters on Friday.

'Iran supports visa waiver but due to security conditions and also lack of necessary infrastructures to increase number of Arbaeen pilgrims, Iraq has to first evaluate the conditions, he added.

Arbaeen is a mourning ritual observed by Shia Muslims marking the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) (the grandson of Prophet Mohammad and the third Shia Imam).

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