Tehran: Thousands of Afghan pilgrims have entered Iran through the Dogharoun border crossing over the past week as they travel to Iraq to visit the country's holy sites, a local Iranian official has said.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Mehdi Akbarzadeh, head of the Aliens and Foreign Immigrant Affairs Department in Taibad, Khorasan Razavi Province, stated that 5,000 Afghan pilgrims had entered Iran through the Dogharoun border crossing over the past six days. Their journey continues to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq.

The pilgrims traveled into Iran aboard 125 buses, making their way to Chazzabeh, a border crossing in southwestern Iran. This route enables them to continue their pilgrimage to Iraq's holy sites during the final days of the lunar month of Muharram.

The Afghan pilgrims, originating from cities such as Kabul and Kandahar, received accommodation and various services at a religious center located near the Dogharoun border crossing. This center spans an area of 1,700 square meters.

Ahead of the anniversary of the passing of Prophet Mohammad on August 12, the holy cities of Najaf, Karbala, and Kadhimiya in Iraq are preparing to host pilgrims from multiple countries. This occasion also marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hassan Mojtaba, the second Imam of Shia Muslims.