TEHRAN — Iran’s Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad and Iraq’s Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadel emphasized the need to expand cooperation in oil, gas, petrochemicals, and electricity between the two countries during a meeting Wednesday.  
The officials discussed strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the energy sector, given the deep historical, cultural, religious, and political ties between the two nations.  
The meeting highlighted the importance of increased collaboration and partnership in oil, gas, petrochemicals, and electricity as key areas for mutual development.
The Islamic Republic is already a key energy provider to Iraq which faces chronic electricity shortages despite sitting on the world’s fourth largest oil reserves.
Iran is a major supplier of natural gas to Iraq as the Arab country, which is the third largest crude oil exporter in the world, still struggles with rising demands for natural gas in its power plants.