Iran’s Zarif due in Iraq for official visit to discuss economic, political ties

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is due in Iraq for an official visit to hold talks with the Arab country’s senior officials on ways to promote political and economic relations.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Zarif is to set off for Baghdad on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said.

He added that senior managers of dozens of major private and public companies would accompany the top Iranian diplomat.

Zarif is expected to hold talks with high-ranking Iraqi officials and attend a joint meeting of the two countries’ businessmen in several Iraqi cities, particularly Karbala and Sulaymaniyah, the Iranian spokesperson noted.

The visit comes a few days after the Iranian foreign minister traveled to India, where he exchanged views with the country’s officials on financial and banking cooperation, energy and transit.

In an interview with NDTV in New Delhi on Wednesday, Zarif lauded bilateral ties, especially economic relations, with India, expressing confidence that Tehran and New Delhi would counter the US’ “illegal” measures, sanctions and bullying.

Zarif: Iran, India can counter US sanctions, bullying

Iran, India can counter the US’ illegal sanctions, bullying, says Zarif.

“Relations with India have always been important. India is an important neighbor,” Zarif said, adding that Iran and India had “common security concerns” as well as regional concerns regarding the situation in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf region.

Back in November, Iraqi President Barham Salih paid a two-day visit to Tehran at the head of a delegation at a sensitive time when the US was pressuring regional countries to go along with Washington in “squeezing” Iran under the sanctions re-imposed on the Islamic Republic.

In a post on his official Twitter account, Zarif expressed his delight at the visit by the Iraqi president and his accompanying delegation, saying Iran and Iraq were committed to win-win cooperation.

“Constructive exchanges on next steps to work together towards regional peace & security,” Zarif said.