TEHRAN (Iran News) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on July 21 what is important to Iran in its ties with Iraq are interests, security, and dignity of its neighboring state.
The Leader made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran with the visiting Prime Minister of Iraq Mustafa al-Kadhimi who arrived in the capital city of Iran earlier on Monday morning heading a high-ranking eco-political delegation.
Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran and Iraq, thanks to religious, cultural, and historical commonalities, have brotherly relations, Khamenei.ir reported.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that Iran has never sought and will never seek to interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs.
Kadhimi, for his part, said Iraq-Iran ties are based on deep and long-standing historical, cultural, and religious relations.
The visiting premier expressed his gratitude to Ayatollah Khamenei for his guidelines, describing them as a key to solve problems.
Earlier in the day, Kadhimi held talks with top officials including President Hassan Rouhani who said the two neighboring states are “resolute” in implementing their previously signed agreements and boost their bilateral trade to $20 billion.
The prime minister’s visit to Tehran comes after receiving Iran’s top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif in Baghdad on July 19.
This is his first foreign visit since Kadhimi took office in May.
Kadhimi is accompanied by Iraq’s ministers of foreign affairs, finance, health, and planning, as well as his national security adviser.
- source : Iran Daily, Irannews
