Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Iranian officials are determined to improve cooperation with neighboring Iraq, assuring that he strongly believes in the merits of close mutual relations.
“A proud, powerful, independent and advanced Iraq is in Iran’s interest, and we will stick by our Iraqi brothers,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with newly elected Iraqi President Barham Salih in Tehran on Saturday, the Leader’s official website reported.
Salih said, “I have traveled to Tehran to convey a clear message that the elements and factors that bind the Iranian and Iraqi nations are rooted in history and long-lasting.”
Earlier in the day, the Iraqi official held a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in which he said his country will definitely not play a part in enforcing hostile policies against Iran, referring to the US campaign of “maximum pressure” against the Islamic Republic.
“Iraq has to become a platform for [the promotion of] regional countries’ shared interests rather than a battlefield for opposing intentions,” Salih was quoted as saying by President.ir.
Iraq has partnerships with both Iran and the United States, two states that have been archenemies for nearly 40 years.
In the latest anti-Iran move, the US aims to restrict the country’s international trade through a raft of sanctions that will naturally affect Iran’s major partners, including Iraq.
Not only does Iraq rely heavily on Iranian natural gas and electricity, but also its economy is closely linked to its non-Arab neighbor.
Iraq imports a wide range of goods from Iran, including food, agricultural products, home appliances, air conditioners and spare car parts. Iranian exports to Iraq was worth about $6 billion in the 12 months ending March 2018, or about 15% of Iraq’s total imports for 2017, according to a Reuters report.
The new government of Iraq seeks to remain on good terms with both sides and immune from their fierce disputes.
Forging Bonds
Highlighting the longstanding social and cultural relations between the two sides, Salih called for expansion of Tehran-Baghdad ties to benefit the two nations and promote their welfare.
“Today, aside from the two nations’ close bonds, the interests of Iraq lie in increasing ties with Iran,” he said.
Connecting the two countries’ rail networks and creating free trade and industrial zones on their border as well as launching joint projects to tackle dust storms and desertification, and manage water resources were among potential areas of cooperation mentioned by Salih.
Rouhani said Iran is ready to develop its collaboration with Iraq in such fields as natural gas, electricity, oil, infrastructure and rail and road construction.
“Trade between the two states currently stands at $12 billion per year, which will hopefully reach $20 billion in a short period,” he said.
Rouhani also pointed to close cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad to enhance peace and stability, describing it as “beneficial for all regional people”.
“Iran and Iraq … believe that the countries of the region can ensure stability and security through joint efforts and without foreign interference,” he said.
