ISTANBUL 

Iraq rejects any use of its territory to launch threats against Iran, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Wednesday.

“We reject the use of our territory for any cross-border threat against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Sudani said at a joint press conference in Baghdad with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Regional tension has escalated since the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran after he attended Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony last July.

While Iran and Hamas accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination, Tel Aviv has not denied or confirmed responsibility.

Pezeshkian arrived in Iraq on a four-day visit Wednesday morning, his first foreign trip since he assumed office.

The two sides signed 14 bilateral cooperation agreements during the Iranian president’s visit on Wednesday.

During the press conference, Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of implementing security cooperation agreements between the two nations “to combat terrorism,” particularly focusing on the fight against the Daesh/ISIS terror group and efforts to curb cross-border smuggling.

“If we stand together, we can take significant steps. This trip is a great opportunity to share our perspectives and take the next steps within the framework of the signed agreements and understandings,” he added.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala