BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 11 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi Foreign Minister, Mohammed al-Hakim, said that, Iraq is looking forward to boosting ties and promoting cooperation in various fields with neighbouring Iran.
Al-Hakim’s comments came, during his meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammed Javad Zarif, who is in Iraq to prepare for the visit of Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani on Monday (today).
“The two discussed relations between Baghdad and Tehran,” said a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
Their discussions addressed various issues and regional challenges to achieve security and stability in the region, the statement said.
At the joint press conference after the meeting, Zarif said, Iran is seeking “to assist Iraqi reconstruction after the honourable victory against terrorism.”
“We are proud to stand by Iraq in the war against terrorism. Iran and Iraq represent the pillars of regional security,” he told reporters.
The Iranian minister also thanked the people and government of Iraq, for “rejecting the illegitimate sanctions” imposed by the United States.
Rouhani is visiting Iraq at the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart, Barham Salih, to discuss bilateral ties.
The visit comes as the United States has been exerting sanctions on Iran’s oil industry and its banking and transport sectors, after Washington pulled out from the 2015 landmark nuclear deal last May.– NNN-NINA
