Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has embarked on his first state visit to Iraq in an effort to strengthen ties between the two countries amidst increasing Western sanctions. During his three-day trip, Pezeshkian met with Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani and honored the late Qassem Soleimani at a monument in Baghdad. The president’s agenda includes discussions on the Gaza war, trade agreements, and regional politics with Iraqi officials.
One of the key objectives of Pezeshkian’s visit is to address Israel’s conflict with Gaza and expand economic relations between Iran and Iraq. Trade ties are crucial for Iran’s economy, as it relies on the Iraqi market for exports and energy imports. The visit also includes talks with Kurdish officials in Erbil and the signing of multiple agreements covering various sectors including trade, agriculture, and communications.
This visit comes as Iran faces renewed sanctions from the US and European countries for allegedly supplying Russia with missiles for use against Ukraine. Iran has been grappling with the impact of sanctions since the US pulled out of the nuclear deal in 2018. Pezeshkian, in a bid for a more open Iran, has appointed Mohammad Javad Zarif, the diplomat who negotiated the 2015 nuclear deal, as his vice president for strategic affairs.
Despite the challenges posed by sanctions, Iran continues to engage with its neighbors and strengthen ties with Iraq to mitigate the economic impact. The visit also coincides with a recent explosion at a base used by the US-led coalition in Iraq, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
Iranian President Pezeshkian embarks on inaugural international visit to Iraq amid Trade War News
