Trucks resumed exports across the Iran-Iraq border at Mehran in Ilam Province on Sept. 24 after a 20-day closure due to the Arbaeen pilgrimage, said Rouhollah Gholami, a local official.
“A total of 1.58 million tons of goods worth $734 million were exported via Mehran’s border in the first half of the current Iranian year [started March 21], indicating an increase of 73% in weight and 57% in value year-on-year,” he was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Three million Iranians and foreign nationals travelled to Iraq through Mehran during the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year.
Earlier last week, Chazzabeh and Shalamcheh border crossings reopened for exports.
The last group of pilgrims returned to Iran on Sept. 21.
During the pilgrimage season, Iran exported to Iraq’s ports of Basra and Abu Flous through the Khorramshahr marine border.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage is a major event marking the 40th-day anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his 72 companions.