Renewed Backing for Iraqi Nation, Gov’t

President Hassan Rouhani reiterated that Iran will stand by the Iraqi people and government. 
In a phone conversation with new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Monday, the president said, “Just as we stood by the Iraqi nation in the fight against Daesh [the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group], we will now give our backing to this country’s government to ensure its stability and progress,” he was quoted as saying by President.ir. 
Rouhani congratulated al-Kadhimi over his designation as prime minister, expressing his satisfaction that a person with ample knowledge of recent developments has taken up the position. 
Former premier, Adel Abdul Mahdi, had resigned under pressure from anti-government protests in November. 
Iraqi President Barham Salih named al-Kadhimi as prime minister in early April, after his previous two nominees withdrew, having failed to secure sufficient support to form a government.
Kadhimi will begin his term soon, although without a full Cabinet as several of his ministerial candidates were rejected. 
Rouhani said, “Iraq’s independence, political stability, national sovereignty and territorial integrity are of great important to Iran,” hoping that friendly relations between Tehran and Baghdad would further develop. 
Noting that Iran has always been and will always be supportive of Iraq’s interests, the president warned of plotters that have targeted the interests of Iraq and other regional countries. 
He also called for expanding trade ties through land borders and border markets, as well as implementing previous agreements, including the construction of oil pipelines, completing the Shalamcheh-Basra railroad and dredging the shared river of Arvandroud. 
Rouhani expressed Iran’s readiness to offer any help with efforts to control the coronavirus pandemic in Iraq. 
Kadhimi described Iran as a friendly country, saying Iraq will never forget its neighbor’s help as a key player in the region to restore stability and security in his country, including in the fight against the IS terrorists. 
Pointing to the sensitivity of the current situation in the Middle East and the world, he said, “Any problem can be addressed through wisdom, logic and rationality. I hope we can overcome the difficulties through the close cooperation of two countries.”
The new Iraqi prime minister also underlined the need to boost economic ties between the two neighbors by reopening borders and resuming trade transactions.