Iran, Iraq sign four cooperation agreements, deepen strategic partnership

Iran and Iraq have signed four cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU), reaffirming their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and deepening their long-term strategic partnership.

The documents were signed by senior officials from both countries in the presence of President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi during the Iraqi premier's official visit to Tehran on Thursday.

The agreements cover road freight transport, the Khosravi–Khanaqin–Baghdad railway project, a sister-city partnership between Tehran and Baghdad, and cooperation in public administration, training and human resources.

Addressing a joint meeting of the two countries' high-ranking delegations, President Pezeshkian said Tehran is determined to elevate relations with Baghdad across the political, economic, commercial, scientific, industrial, infrastructure and security sectors.

“The comprehensive strategic cooperation plan will serve as the roadmap for the long-term development of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Iraq,” the Iranian president said.

Pezeshkian stressed that the agreements should quickly move from paper to implementation, calling for sustained coordination between relevant institutions and regular meetings of the two countries' joint commissions to ensure their full execution.

He also highlighted the importance of expanding railway and road connectivity, saying Iran is ready to link Iraq to its regional transport network in order to strengthen transit, investment, trade, joint markets and port development.

The president further called for the full implementation of the bilateral security agreement, particularly efforts to clear border areas of anti-Iran militant groups, while emphasizing that Tehran prefers resolving such issues through cooperation and mutual understanding.

“The security of Iran and Iraq is tied to one another, and any insecurity in either country will directly affect the other, making closer security cooperation a strategic necessity for both sides,” Pezeshkian said.

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Al-Zaidi, for his part, described relations with the Islamic Republic as a strategic priority and reaffirmed Baghdad's commitment to broadening cooperation in the economic, scientific, academic, healthcare and other sectors.

He said a number of Iraq's economic ministers had accompanied him to Tehran to accelerate negotiations on joint projects and advance practical cooperation serving the common interests of the two neighboring countries.

Stressing the importance of security coordination, al-Zaidi reiterated Iraq's commitment to implementing the bilateral security agreement with Iran.

“No part of Iraqi territory will be allowed to become a platform for threatening or creating insecurity against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Iraqi premier said.

Al-Zaidi also praised Iran's support during Iraq's fight against the Daesh takfiri terrorist group, saying Tehran stood alongside the Iraqi people during one of the country's most difficult periods.

“The Iraqi people will never forget Iran's support in confronting the Daesh terrorist group, support that was demonstrated in practice alongside the Iraqi people in eliminating terrorism,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the agreements signed in Tehran and the outcomes of the visit would open a new chapter in the strategic partnership between the two neighboring countries and further strengthen cooperation across a broad range of fields.

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