Top Security Chief to Visit Iraq After China, UAE
TEHRAN -- The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) will visit Iraq for talks on ways to remove the obstacles to economic cooperation between the two neighbors, Nour News reported on Saturday.
In a tweet, the news portal affiliated with the SNSC said Iraq, Iran’s second trade partner, will be Admiral Ali Shamkhani’s next destination, following his visits to China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Protection and promotion of trade exchanges worth over $10 billion necessitate removal of certain challenges imposed on ties between the two countries, acceleration of economic agreements and facilitation on banking cooperation,” read the tweet.
Iraq hosted five rounds of talks between Tehran and Riyadh in the course of the diplomatic process leading up to the deal.
Earlier, Iraq secured the U.S.’s agreement to release Iranian frozen assets worth $500 million, despite the anti-Iran sanctions, with the goal of stepping up trade ties with Tehran.
Iraq heavily relies on neighboring Iran for its energy needs.