TEHRAN -- President
Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday Iran is ready to continue talks with Saudi Arabia provided that the Saudis express their readiness to engage in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect.
Raisi made the remarks in a phone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in which he hailed efforts by Iraq to hold talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The president reiterated that Iran favors a powerful and sovereign government in Iraq and a strong and united society in the country.
Referring to shared experiences of Iraq and Iran in fighting Daesh and other takfiri terrorist groups, Raisi said all the regional problems can be solved if the meddling of powers outside the region is stopped.
The Iranian president said U.S. forces genuinely leave the region, the regional countries will be able to establish peace, stability and security on their own.
The Iraqi prime minister, for his part, said enhancement of economic exchanges with Iran is of prime importance to Baghdad.
Al-Kadhimi said his country welcomes the foreign policy pursued by the Iranian new government to upgrade the level of cooperation with the regional countries.