Iran Pledges Unwavering Support for Iraq’s New Government

In a telephone conversation with Iraq’s incoming Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Monday, President Rouhani called for the expansion of bilateral relations and the efforts to implement the joint agreements with Iraq.

Iran attaches great significance to the independence, political stability, national sovereignty and integrity of Iraq, the president underlined, expressing hope that the cordial relations between the two Muslim neighbors would grow.

“As we proved that we were standing by the Iraqi nation in the fight against ISIL, now we are saying that we will stand by the government of this country wholeheartedly,” President Rouhani added.

He also stressed the need to boost the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, and called for the implementation of the previous agreements, including the oil pipeline and railroad projects.

Rouhani finally expressed Iran’s preparedness to assist Iraq in the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic.

For his part, Kadhimi pointed to the sensitive conditions in the region and the world, stressing that any problem will be solved through wisdom, logic and rationality.

The new Iraqi premier also highlighted the necessity to expand the mutual economic and trade relations with Iran, reopen land borders and resume the exchange of commodities.

Kadhimi took office after the Iraqi parliament approved a new government on Wednesday following nearly six months of political wrangling.

The parliament approved 15 ministers out of a prospective 22-seat cabinet in a vote of confidence. Five candidates were rejected while voting on two ministers was postponed, leaving seven ministries still empty, including the key oil and foreign affairs positions.

Two previous nominees for the role of prime minister - Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi and Adnan al-Zurfi – had failed to secure enough support among cabinet ministers.