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In a region in turmoil, Tehran’s ties to its neighbor are more important than ever.
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, arrived in Iraq on Wednesday for his first trip abroad since taking office in July, a demonstration of the value the Iranians place on the strategic alliance with their neighbor as tensions rise in the region around them.
Mr. Pezeshkian’s three-day trip will include visits to several cities that represent Iran’s political, religious, economic and security interests in Iraq. He was traveling with a delegation of senior officials and businessmen, according to Iranian media.
“I imagine this will be a very good trip for making economic, cultural, political and security ties,” Mr. Pezeshkian said, according to televised remarks on state media. “And I hope we can forge closer and brotherly ties to all Islamic countries starting from Iraq.”
In Baghdad, Mr. Pezeshkian met with the Iraqi prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and President Abdul Latif Rashid. He was also expected to talk with other senior officials.
The trip comes as Iraq moves closer to taking a number of steps that align with Iran’s long-term objectives, including moving forward on negotiations for the departure of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Iran and the United States have regarded each other as enemies since the 1979 hostage crisis and have not had diplomatic relations since then. Iran has been leery of the presence of those U.S. troops, which they see as a potential danger.
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