New Iraqi Premier Au Fait With Tehran-Baghdad Ties

The new Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who was inaugurated on Wednesday, is well informed about Tehran-Baghdad relations and advocates enhanced mutual ties, a senior lawmaker said.  
Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said Abdul Mahdi has been deeply involved in relations with Iran and understands the circumstances thoroughly. 
"Over the past four decades, a group of Iraqi politicians with a better understanding of shared interests with Iran have been after strengthening ties; Adel Abdul Mahdi is one of those politicians," he said in a recent interview with ICANA. 
According to Falahatpisheh, Abdul Mahdi worked closely with Iran during the time when Iraqi elite groups were campaigning against Saddam Hussein's dictatorship.  
After Saddam was toppled [in 2003], he added, Iran adopted the policy of protecting Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, such that it most recently fought against the self-styled Islamic State to help rid the Arab country of the scourge of terrorism.
"Abdul Mahdi has seen Iran's voluntary measures closely," he said, adding that many present-day Iraqi politicians, including the new premier, have an experience of comradeship with Iran.  

Common Future  

The lawmaker welcomed Abdul Mahdi's selection as premier, hoping that it will bring about stability in the Iraqi government and a better harmony among politicians as well as general security in the country. 
"The two states have the same future and their friendly policies should continue," he said. 
After an inconclusive general election in May, Iraq’s Parliament in October elected as president Kurdish politician Barham Salih, who immediately named Shia Adel Abdul Mahdi as prime minister-designate, ending months of deadlock. Abdul Mahdi was officially sworn in on Wednesday. 
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani offered his congratulations in a Friday message, wishing him health and success in his career. 
"I am certain that during your term, the two countries will see development and consolidation of political, economic, cultural and parliamentary relations," he concluded.