Iran and Iraq Reach Agreement to Enhance Communication Services During Arbaeen Pilgrimage

 Baghdad, August 27, 2025 – Following a series of discussions between delegations from the Iranian and Iraqi Ministries of Communications, an agreement has been reached to provide high-quality and affordable communication services during the Arbaeen pilgrimage. The agreement encompasses measures to be implemented by mobile operators, the establishment of direct, high-capacity communication links between the two countries, and the provision of free internet access at selected pilgrim rest stops (Moukebs) along the Najaf-Karbala route.

According to a report by the Public Relations and Information Center of the Iranian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Iranian delegation, led by Hamid Fatahi, Deputy Minister and Head of the Regulatory Authority for Radio Communications, included representatives from the Communications Infrastructure Company, as well as mobile operators Hamrah Aval (MCI), Irancell, and Rightel. The delegation traveled to Baghdad to negotiate the terms with their Iraqi counterparts.
The Iraqi delegation was headed by Nofal Helal Abu Ragheef, Chairman of the Iraqi Media and Communications Commission, with participation from officials from Informatics and Telecommunications companies, the police force, and mobile operators Zain, Korek, and Asiacell.
The discussions comprised a formal meeting between the heads of the delegations and six specialized technical sessions involving managers and experts from both countries. The focus was on resolving technical challenges, improving network coverage, and facilitating pilgrims' access to telecommunication services. The primary objective of the negotiations was to coordinate efforts between regulatory bodies, operators, and infrastructure companies in Iran and Iraq to provide communication support for the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
As a result of the intensive two-day negotiations, both delegations agreed to a framework that includes: the provision of high-quality and affordable services by mobile operators in both countries for pilgrims; the establishment of direct, high-capacity communication links between the two countries during Arbaeen; and the provision of free Wi-Fi internet access to pilgrims at selected Moukebs along the Najaf-Karbala route. The agreement was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding by both parties.
The Iranian delegation's visit to Baghdad was undertaken at the directive of Seyed Sattar Hashemi, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, as part of a broader effort to improve the quality of communication services for Arbaeen pilgrims.
This initiative follows a recent meeting between the Minister of Communications and Nasir Abdul Mohsen Abdullah, the Iraqi Ambassador to Tehran, where both parties emphasized the need to expand communication cooperation during Arbaeen and agreed to send a delegation from Iran for further coordination.