Pilgrims (zaireen) have been instructed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony to either use Iranian carriers or verify “every Iran-Iraq air sector before departure” when travelling between Iran and Iraq for their pilgrimage.
In a notice, the ministry says it received guidance from the Foreign Office and urges travellers to “use Iranian airlines or plan onward travel between Tehran/Mashad and Najaf” and “verify every Iran-Iraq air sector before departure”.
Zaireen group organisers have been instructed to “avoid relying on unconfirmed Iranian connections and to maintain alternative land routes or air arrangements, sufficient contingency funds and accommodation plans in case of cancellations”.
