Under a blazing sun, clad in black and clutching portraits of their slain leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian pilgrims streamed across the border into Iraq to observe the Arbaeen, the most revered event for Shias, AFP reports.

Some stamped on a portrait of US President Donald Trump, others raised their fists or flashed victory signs, as fresh strikes rattled the region, drawing Iraq back into the Middle East war.

Amir, a 55-year-old pick-up driver, has been attending the Arbaeen ceremonies in Iraq for years, but said that this time is different.

“The difference is that we are at war. Now, the United States is attacking us… yet this crowd that you see has left everything behind” to attend, the father-of-three added, at Iraq’s al-Zurbatiyah border crossing.

“There is anxiety and fear,” Amir said, complaining that the Iranian economy is suffering. “We are standing against them, and we will resist, even if we have to survive on dry bread.”

Pilgrim Fatemeh Moradi, 52, has been to the Arbaeen at least five times before, but said that this year is for “our martyred leader, on his behalf and on the behalf of all the martyrs”.