November 8, The Iran Project - Several top Iranian and Iraqi officials reviewed the ways aimed at providing security and protecting pilgrims in the world largest religious gathering of Arbaeen in Karbala.

Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami talked with his Iraqi counterpart Major General Erfan al-Hiyali over phone and the two sides discussed the ways to strengthen bilateral ties and provide security and protection for pilgrims of Arbaeen Rituals.

Meanwhile, Iran�s Military Attache in Iraq Mostafa Moradian and Iraqi Defense Minister Irfan al-Hayali, in a meeting in Baghdad discussed coordination for boosting security for Arbaeen pilgrims who are currently traveling to Karbala to attend the great ceremony in the holy shrine of Imam Hossein (AS), the third Imam of Shia Muslims.

Also, Moradian discussed the ways for improving the security of pilgrims of Arbaeen rituals in a meeting with Iraq's Army Chief of Staff Othman al-Ghanemi.

The avenues for bolstering military and defensive relations were also among other issues explored during the meeting.

Moreover, Iran's ambassador in Baghdad Iraj Masjedi has announced that the planning for Arbaeen religious ceremonies, falling on Nov. 9 this year, has been better than the previous year, in the southwestern border crossing.

He said some two million Iranian pilgrims have crossed into Iraq so far to perform Arbaeen rituals.

"Given the continued arrival of the Iranian pilgrims, it is predicted that another 300 to 400 thousand others will arrive in Iraq within the next few days," Masjedi told reporters while visiting Shalamcheh border crossing on the joint Iran-Iraq border.

Also, two Iranian medical clinics were opened in Iraq on the eve of the ritual of Arbaeen when millions of pilgrims flock to the country to commemorate the 40th day of Shia Muslim's 3rd Imam martyrdom.

The executive advisor to Iran's Red Crescent Society for Hajj and Pilgrimage Taher Doroudi said that the four-story medical clinic in the holy city of Najaf was opened on Saturday, and the medical staff and personnel are ready to give services to pilgrims.