Zarif Goes to Baghdad ahead of Iraqi PM’s Visit to Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Baghdad on Sunday morning to hold talks on a broad range of issues with Iraqi officials and make arrangements for Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s upcoming trip to Tehran.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Baghdad, Zarif expressed delight at visiting the Arab country after formation of the new Iraqi government, saying he is going to make arrangements for Iraqi Prime Minister Kadhimi’s upcoming trip to Tehran at the invitation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Zarif also noted that he would hold meetings with senior Iraqi officials, including the president, prime minister, parliament speaker, foreign minister, judiciary chief and Hashd al-Shaabi chief for talks about Tehran-Baghdad cooperation, regional issues, and US crimes in the region, such as the January assassination of Lt. General Qassem Soleimani, Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and their companions.
The top Iranian diplomat added that he will pay a visit to Erbil on Sunday evening at the invitation of President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani.
Rouhani’s administration has repeatedly called for the enhancement of relations with Iraq, saying closer ties between the two neighbors would contribute to regional security and stability.