Iranian President Pezeshkian embarks on first foreign visit to Iraq.
Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Iraq on Wednesday, his first international trip since assuming office in July.
The visit aims to strengthen ties between Tehran and Baghdad amid regional tensions pulling both nations into the Middle East quagmire.
Iraq is crucial for Iran in economic, political, and religious terms, enhanced since 2003 when Saddam Hussein was toppled.
Baghdad is balancing relations between Tehran, which backs Shiite militias, and the US with 2,500 troops targeting Islamic State remnants.
Pezeshkian will visit Shiite pilgrimage destinations and inspect projects including an Iran-Iraq railway. His foreign minister said Iran wants a prosperous, secure Iraq as a neighbor and supports economic cooperation.
However, tensions exist with Iran striking Iraqi sites in attacks targeting Kurdish and US forces. For Iraq, Iranian gas and oil swaps are key amid US sanctions on Tehran’s advancing nuclear plans.
With the Israeli-Hamas conflict continuing, the US troop presence in Iraq concerns Iran. Attacks have increased on Americans since clashes erupted. Iraq debates backing the American military commitment as it navigates ties with major regional players.
