Top Iranian, Iraqi MPs Confer

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani met with his Iraqi counterpart, Mohamed al-Halbousi, in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss ways of boosting bilateral ties.     
Larijani pointed to longstanding friendship between Tehran and Baghdad, underlining the interest of the two countries’ legislatures to strengthen mutual cooperation. 
“Trade ties between Iran and Iraq are at a favorable level … We can expand economic relations both nationally and between border provinces,” he was quoted as saying by ICANA. 
Halbousi said the presence of different political factions in the delegation shows that all groups in Iraq favor close relations with Iran. 
“Today, the legislative bodies of Iran and Iraq need to have a steady relationship and keep their connection at various Asian and international assemblies,” he said. 
He also reiterated his country’s support of Iran against American sanctions reimposed after the United States’ exit from the 2015 nuclear deal. 
“It is time for us to promote the interests of our nations, which require cooperation in economic and other sectors,” he said. 
In a separate meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Nazar Khairallah and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Morteza Sarmadi discussed issues of mutual interest. 
Both sides stressed the importance of President Hassan Rouhani’s upcoming visit to Baghdad as a “historical opportunity” to strengthen bilateral ties. 
“Relations between Tehran and Baghdad in all sectors, especially security and energy, face no limit and Iran’s role in the restoration of [war-racked] Iraq will be substantial,” Khairallah said.