BAGHDAD (Dispatches) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Wednesday reaffirmed Tehran’s support for a strong, free, developed, united and independent Iraq during a visit to the Arab country.
Khatibzadeh discussed ways of expanding all-out relations with Iraqi National Security Council (INSC) Advisor Qasim al-Araji, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and Sheikh Humam Hamoudi, the leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), which is a Shia political party.
He also met a number of Sunni clerics, visited Al-Tamayoz Strategic Institute and Al-Nahrain Research Institute, and spoke with Iraqi scholars and thinkers about the latest regional developments and Iran-Iraq relations.
Khatibzadeh reiterated Iran’s full support for the Iraqi government and the will of the Iraqi people.
Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif visited Iraq in April and held “excellent” talks with top Iraqi officials and senior Shia and Sunni leaders.
The Islamic Republic gives priority to its neighbors in its foreign policy, Zarif told Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Parliament speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi and Foreign Minister Fuad al-Hussein.