Iraqi PM Iran visit brings new agreements with Tehran
Ali al-Zaidi made his first official trip to Iran as Iraqi premier, with Baghdad and Tehran signing deals on energy, finance and security.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Tehran on Thursday for his first official trip to Iran since taking office in May. The Iraqi PM Iran visit matters because Baghdad is seeking deeper cooperation with a powerful neighbour while also trying to manage regional tensions.
The Iraqi News Agency reported that al-Zaidi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding in Tehran. INA said the documents covered foreign affairs, finance, the economy and energy.
Al-Zaidi is due to spend two days in Iran and hold meetings with senior officials, according to a post he made on X. He said the talks would cover shared interests, bilateral cooperation, regional developments and efforts to strengthen security and stability.
Why is the Iraqi PM visiting Iran?
Al-Zaidi is using the visit to strengthen Iraq’s relationship with Iran across security, trade and energy, according to Iraqi and Iranian statements. The trip also comes as Iraq balances ties with Tehran and Washington during a period of heightened conflict involving Iran, political analyst Ghaleb Al-Daami told Al Jazeera.
At a joint meeting of senior Iraqi and Iranian officials, al-Zaidi thanked Iran for its support during Iraq’s fight against ISIL, also known as ISIS, according to Pezeshkian’s office. The Iranian president’s office said the Iraqi leader reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to security cooperation and said Iraq would not accept hostile action against Iran by any party.
Pezeshkian said a broad strategic cooperation plan could guide future ties between the two countries, according to the same account. He also said Iran and Iraq’s security were closely connected.
Al-Zaidi said on X that Iraq and Iran share historic ties, a border and common interests. He said continued dialogue and cooperation should support development and prosperity for both countries while contributing to security and stability in the region and beyond.
Energy, trade and religious ties bind Iraq and Iran
Iraq depends heavily on Iranian natural gas and electricity, according to Al Jazeera. Trade between the two neighbours is worth more than $12bn a year, making Iraq one of Iran’s largest trading partners.
The countries also have deep religious links. Millions of Iranian Shia pilgrims travel to Iraq each year to visit holy sites, and Al Jazeera reported that funeral events for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei passed through Najaf and Karbala earlier this month.
Iran has also built close relationships with influential Shia parties and armed groups in Iraq, according to Al Jazeera. Those groups form a major part of Iraq’s security forces.
What message is Baghdad sending?
Al-Daami told Al Jazeera that al-Zaidi’s visit reflects Baghdad’s difficult effort to maintain relations with both Iran and the United States. He said the Iraqi prime minister’s main aims were to urge Iran to stop supporting armed groups in Iraq and to carry a message from Washington.
According to Al-Daami, the United States has supported a possible Iraqi mediation role amid the US war on Iran. Iraqi officials have framed the Tehran meetings around cooperation and stability, while the visit also underscores how closely Iraq’s domestic security and economy remain tied to Iran.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.