TEHRAN -- Iraq’s Prime
Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi became the first foreign leader on Sunday to visit and meet with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi since the later took office in August.
Kadhimi brought along a “high level political and economic delegation” to discuss the neighbors’ relations.
Television showed the Iraqi premier welcomed by a guard of honor, before immediately beginning a meeting that IRNA said touched on “questions of mutual and international interest”.
“I hope despite the aims of the enemies of the two countries, we will witness expansion of good relations between Iran and Iraq,” Raisi said in a joint news conference in Tehran.
Raisi said Iraq had agreed to waive visas for Iranian pilgrims to Shia holy sites in Iraq later this month on the occasion of Arbaeen marking the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein (AS), Prophet Muhammad’s grandson who was martyred by the forces of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD.
Iraqi authorities late Thursday announced new quotas for foreign pilgrims for the Arbaeen pilgrimage in the Shia shrine city of Karbala later this month.
Kadhimi’s office said that 60,000 Iranian pilgrims would be allowed to attend, up from 30,000 previously announced.
The number of visas issued to foreign pilgrims permitted has dropped sharply in the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But President Raisi said, “Mr. al-Kadhimi told us about the waiver of visa between the two countries and this was a good news.”
Every year on Arba’een, millions of people from around the world flock to Karbala. Large groups of mourners travel on foot toward the holy city to take part in the largest annual Islamic gathering on earth. The ceremony falls on September 27 this year.
Other hot topics include Iraq’s six-billion-dollar debt to Iran, after shortages pushed it to turn to its neighbor to cover one-third of its gas and electricity needs.
“Decisions were also made about the two countries’ financial issues that should be adopted,” Raisi said, without elaborating.
Iraq relies on Iranian gas and electricity. Iraq’s electricity ministry said last month that Iranian gas supplied to the central region was reduced from 3 million to 2 million cubic meters per day, while to the southern region it was reduced from 17 million to 5 million cubic meters per day.
Raisi also said the two sides are determined to develop the rail corridor connecting Iran’s southwestern city of Shalamcheh to the Iraqi city of Basra.
“This issue is to be resolve rapidly through follow-ups by relevant ministers in Iran and Iraq.”
As Iran’s neighbor to the west,

Iraq has sought a mediating role between Tehran and Arab nations. Since April, it has tried to broker talks with Saudi Arabia to soothe tensions between the regional powers.
The Iraqi prime minister lauded Iran’s support for his country and nation in the fight against Daesh terrorists, saying Iraq will never forget the Islamic Republic’s support.
“Iran stood by the Iraqi people from the very beginning in the fight against Daesh terrorists and the Iraqi people will always be thankful for Tehran’s support,” Kadhimi said.
He said Iraq pursues a constant policy on Iran, reaffirming his country’s constant support for the Iranian people and government in all fields.
Kadhimi said his talks with the Iranian president focused on expanding relations, adding both Tehran and Baghdad are resolute in their determination to strengthen ties in the best interests of their nations.
In a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih in Tehran in August, the Iranian president said the Islamic Republic wants a powerful and strong Iraq and is determined to further improve relations with Baghdad.