Iranian President Pezeshkian’s first official trip takes him to Iraq

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made his first official foreign visit to Iraq Wednesday, aiming to deepen strategic ties with the country amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The visit comes shortly after Pezeshkian was elected president in July.

Pezeshkian met with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani at the start of his visit, which Iraqi officials said would include the signing of several cooperation agreements across various sectors.

The two leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional issues.

Strengthening Iraq-Iran ties

During his visit, Pezeshkian expressed his commitment to enhancing ties with Iraq, a strategic ally of both Tehran and Washington.

“We are planning to sign several agreements,” Pezeshkian said, according to Iran’s state media.

The visit will include discussions on trade, agriculture, and communications, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirming that around 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are set to be signed.

MoUs on tax cooperation, agriculture, natural resources, telecommunications, social protection, youth and sports, education, tourism, cultural and artistic exchanges, archaeological cooperation, vocational training, skilled workforce development and collaboration between chambers of commerce will be signed.

Pezeshkian’s visit also included a stop at a monument for Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. Soleimani’s assassination had nearly brought the United States and Iran into direct conflict.

Regional security concerns

Iraq, a ‘rare partner’ to both Iran and the U.S., continues to host 2,500 U.S. troops while maintaining close ties with Iran-backed armed factions within its security forces.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, these factions have launched multiple attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.

The visit underscores Iran’s continued influence in Iraq, a relationship that has grown since the U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Pezeshkian also plans to visit Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.

Future cooperation agreements between Iraq-Iran

Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani’s office announced that the two nations are committed to formalizing agreements across various fields, including political, regional and security cooperation.

The talks come as Iraq works to balance its relations with both Washington and Tehran amid rising regional tensions.

After meetings in Baghdad, Pezeshkian will visit the cities of Najaf and Karbala, where he will pay respects at religious shrines.

Additionally, the Iranian president plans to inspect ongoing Iranian projects in Basra.