Iran’s national security adviser visits Iraq for talks on bilateral cooperation

ISTANBUL

Iran’s National Security Adviser Ali Larijani held talks with Iraqi officials in Baghdad on Monday to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination.

During his meeting with Larijani, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stressed Iraq’s commitment to developing relations with Iran and strengthening fruitful partnerships in various fields, his office said in a statement.

He also reaffirmed Iraq’s “principled and steadfast position in rejecting the Zionist (Israeli) aggression against Iran and any actions that could escalate conflicts at the regional and international levels,” while voicing support for US-Iran dialogue.

Larijani also met with Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji and signed a joint memorandum of understanding on security coordination along the shared border between the two countries, the statement said.

Larijani was appointed secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Aug. 5 by President Masoud Pezeshkian, replacing Gen. Ali Akbar Ahmadian. He previously held the same position from 2005 to 2007.

Iraq and Iran have long maintained close ties, with Iraqi officials describing Tehran as a key political and strategic ally.