Iranian President Pezeshkian Begins Three-Day Visit to Iraq

Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, arrived in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Wednesday for his first foreign visit since taking office in July. The visit, which came at the invitation of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, is set to last three days and aims to strengthen political, economic and security ties between the two neighboring countries.

Upon arrival, Pezeshkian was welcomed by al-Sudani at the Government Palace in Baghdad. According to a statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office, their discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and resolving mutual challenges, particularly in the economic and security spheres.

Sudani also appreciated the contribution of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and stressed the need for further cooperation to ensure stability and development of the region.

During the meeting, Pezeshkian presented Sudani with a tablet with a message from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The message expressed gratitude to the Iraqi government and its people for their hospitality during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, emphasizing Iraq’s role in demonstrating Islamic generosity and Arab hospitality.

In return, Pezeshkian thanked for the warm welcome and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations. Ahead of the visit, he indicated that several agreements would be signed to strengthen cooperation in several sectors, including energy, trade and security.

The visit comes at a critical time for both nations, with Prime Minister Sudan’s government facing increasing scrutiny over its ability to fight corruption and implement reforms ahead of parliamentary elections in 2025. For Iran, the trip underscores the priority of maintaining strong ties with Iraq amid the challenges posed by U.S. sanctions and regional tensions.

Meanwhile, early Wednesday morning, two rockets landed near U.S. forces stationed at Victory Base, near Baghdad International Airport. Although no casualties were reported, there was damage. Iraqi officials confirmed that flights at the airport were not disrupted by the incident. Investigations are underway to determine the cause and perpetrators of the attack.

As part of his visit, Pezeshkian is expected to sign 12 memorandums of understanding in various sectors and visit important cities, including Najaf, Basra and the Kurdistan Region. His trip will end with a joint press conference where he and Prime Minister Sudani will share the results of their talks.

The visit underscores Iraq and Iran’s continued economic and security cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, where Iraq is heavily dependent on Iranian gas and electricity imports. Pazeshkian’s engagement will also address Iran’s concerns about opposition groups operating along the Iraq-Iran border.