Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit Iraq on Wednesday, his first travel abroad since taking office in July. Pezeshkian will lead a high-ranking group to Baghdad to discuss expanding collaboration with Iraq.
At the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the visit strengthens existing close ties between the two Shiite majority nations. Both nations are scheduled to sign security and cooperation accords, demonstrating their commitment to regional stability.
Iran’s envoy to Iraq, Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh, noted that these accords were planned under late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May 2023.
Iraq is a significant partner for Iran under Pezeshkian, who has prioritized neighbor relations. Iranian friends dominate Iraq’s government and trade extensively.
Recent security cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad includes a 2023 pact to control their border and curb Iranian Kurdish insurgent organizations. This alliance comes amid Tehran’s accusations of armed Kurdish groups encouraging instability, notably the 2022 Mahsa Amini riots.
Iran and Iraq’s strategic relationship will strengthen with Pezeshkian’s visit.
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