Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi began his first official visit to Iran on Thursday. The two-day trip aims to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen regional security ties.
Al-Zaidi arrived in Tehran after assuming office as Iraq’s prime minister in May. He met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior officials during the visit.
Moreover, both leaders oversaw the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding. The deals covered foreign affairs, finance, economic cooperation, and energy.
Iraq and Iran expand bilateral cooperation
During a joint meeting, al-Zaidi thanked Iran for supporting Iraq’s fight against the ISIL group. He said Iraq would never forget Tehran’s assistance during difficult security challenges.
Furthermore, the Iraqi prime minister reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to security cooperation with Iran. He also said Iraq would not allow any party to launch hostile actions against Iran.
Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian welcomed stronger ties between the neighboring countries. He said a comprehensive strategic cooperation plan would guide future relations between Tehran and Baghdad.
Additionally, Pezeshkian stressed that Iraq and Iran share closely connected security interests. He emphasized that stronger cooperation would benefit both nations.
Leaders discuss regional security and shared interests
Al-Zaidi said he would meet additional senior Iranian officials during the visit. The discussions will focus on bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and shared interests.
He also highlighted the historic, cultural, and civilizational ties linking Iraq and Iran. According to al-Zaidi, both countries share borders and longstanding mutual interests.
Therefore, he called for continued dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect between both governments. He said stronger relations could promote sustainable development and regional prosperity.
The Iraqi prime minister added that deeper cooperation would strengthen peace and stability. Both sides expressed support for expanding collaboration across multiple sectors.
