Iranian president vows to continue to support Iraq as new PM sworn in

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed that the Islamic Republic will continue to support Iraq and its new government.

In a message posted on social media platform X in Arabic on Friday, Pezeshkian congratulated Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on the approval of his government by the country’s parliament.

“I congratulate you and the brotherly people of Iraq on the government's gaining the confidence of Parliament and commencing its duties,” Pezeshkian said.

On Thursday, al-Zaidi was sworn in as Iraq’s new premier after parliament endorsed most of his proposed cabinet members.

Pezeshkian expressed hope that the new stage will witness “a new chapter of strategic cooperation” between the two countries based on close ties between the two nations.

“Iran will remain by Iraq's side on the path of development and the consolidation of security,” he vowed.

Iran reaffirms brotherly ties a top priority as Iraq forms new government

Iran has reaffirmed that expanding brotherly relations with Iraq remains at the top of its foreign policy priorities following the formation of a new government in Baghdad.

Al-Zaidi, 40, was sworn in on Thursday as Iraq's youngest prime minister after parliament approved 14 of his proposed 23 cabinet ministers, according to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA).

Key portfolios, including interior and defense, remain under negotiation among political factions.

Al-Zaidi emerged as a compromise candidate after Washington's pressure and bullying, including its threat to freeze Iraqi oil money in US bank accounts, forcing former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki to abandon his candidacy, which had been put forward by the Coordination Framework.

The new prime minister has not held an elected or administrative office and hence lacks a political base, building his profile through banking, logistics and government contracts.

Pezeshkian’s message comes amid widespread popular solidarity with Iran across Iraq.

Following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran on February 28, a massive rally was held in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, where thousands of Iraqis gathered to voice their support for the Islamic Republic and condemn the American-Israeli terrorism.

Iraqi resistance factions have declared that they will stand by Iran against any further aggression. Resistance leaders have made clear that if the United States or Israel expands its military attacks, Iraqi forces will not remain passive.

On Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to top Iraqi cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and the Iraqi people for their solidarity with Iran and those affected by the recent US-Israeli war of aggression.

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