Iran’s Zarif highlights ties with Iraq in all fields

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran attaches great importance to its relations with neighboring Iraq in all arenas.

“Iran and Iraq have special relations which I hope will be developed and boosted in all areas. The Iraqi government and nation have a special status for us,” Zarif said in a meeting with Rajeh Saber Abboud al-Mousavi, the new Iraqi ambassador to Tehran, on Sunday.

The senior Iranian official also called for further promotion of Tehran-Baghdad ties on all fronts.

He also called for facilitating the business of Iranian merchants and investors in Iraq.

Last month, Zarif visited Iraq as part of his three-nation tour of the Middle East which also took him to Kuwait and Qatar.

In Iraq, the senior Iranian official met and held talks with Iraqi religious figures and political authorities, including Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, President Fuad Masum, Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri and Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

Iranian officials have always stressed the importance of relations with the Islamic Republic’s neighbors, including Iraq.

In July, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told the visiting Iraqi premier that the Islamic Republic will continue supporting Iraq in its fight against terrorism, noting that the country's security is intertwined with that of Iran.

Rouhani also said that stability, security, and peace in Iraq and Iran’s other neighbors can help promote progress and development in the region.

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