Tehran: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein discussed bilateral relations and regional situations with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, received Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein today, Monday, at the Presidential Complex in the capital, Tehran.” The statement indicated that “during the meeting, the Minister conveyed the greetings of President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the Iranian President, stressing Iraq’s keenness to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Pezeshkian praised “the strength of historical relations between Iraq and Iran,” noting “the deep familial and social ties that have existed between the peoples of the two countries for thousands of years.” He emphasized his country’s “aspiration to develop bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic and industrial fields,” noting that “there are promising opportunities for cooperation between the Iraqi provinces bordering Iran.”

The statement continued, “The two sides discussed the ongoing negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America. Hussein expressed Iraq’s support for this process, expressing his hope that these negotiations will lead to tangible results and an agreement between the two parties that will contribute to lifting the sanctions imposed on Iran.”

The Minister reviewed the growing volume of trade exchange between the two countries, noting the development of economic relations and cultural and tourism exchanges, emphasizing the importance of the development road project adopted by the Iraqi government, not only for Iraq, but for the entire region.”

The statement continued, “During the meeting, the issue of exporting gas and importing electricity from Iran was discussed, along with the challenges facing these issues.” The Minister emphasized that “development cannot be achieved without comprehensive stability in the region.”

For his part, according to the statement, the Iranian President affirmed his country’s readiness to share its scientific achievements with Islamic countries, noting that “Iraq’s prosperity stems from Iran’s prosperity, emphasizing the close interconnectedness between the security and stability of the two countries.”