Ilam, Ilam prov, March 7, IRNA -- Iranians can resume legal entry to Iraq via Mehran border city to undertake visits to religious sites and cities of that country, a local security official said in this western city on Monday.

Deputy governor of Ilam province for political and security affairs Ali asghar Jamshid Nejad told IRNA that Iraqi officials had only prohibited entry to the country during Iraq's elections, therefore the ban has been removed now that the period is over.

Jamshid Nejad added that Iranians who were willing to undertake visits to the religious sites and cities of Iraq could resume legal crossing of the common border from Bahram Abad region near Mehran.

Mehran border city in this western province is a main entrance for Iranians and Iraqis wishing to visit the two countries.

Over one million Iranian pilgrims have crossed the border via Mehran since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year of 1383 (March 20, 2004), said Jamshid Nejad.

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