IRNA � Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Administrative and Financial Affairs Mahdi Danesh-Yazdi communicated the appreciation of the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to the Iraqi government and nation for their hospitality towards Iranian pilgrims during Arbaeen rituals.

He made the remarks in a ceremony held for inauguration of Iran's consulate general building in Karbala on Sunday.

Several local officials as well as Iran's Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danaeifar attended the ceremony.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Danesh-Yazdi said: 'I should thank the Iraqi officials and nation particularly people of Karbala and Najaf on behalf of Iranian foreign minister,' he said.

He referred to the historical relations between Iran and Iraq and said the two nations have always sided with each other in difficult days.

Over two million Iranians traveled to Karbala in Iraq to take part in mourning ceremonies which were held there November 20 to mark the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Imam of Shiite Muslims.