Today, Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi began talks with Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi in Tehran, dealing with bilateral relations and international files, after his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.
These meetings come within the framework of Baghdad’s efforts to fully resume diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh.
During a joint press conference between Raisi and Al-Kazemi, the Iranian president said that there is a real will on the part of his country and Iraq to develop relations in various fields.
He added that Iran and Iraq stress the need to support peace and stability in the region through joint action between their leaders. “We welcome dialogue between the countries of the region in order to find solutions to problems,” he added.
Raisi made it clear during the press conference that foreign interference does not solve the problems in the region, but rather increases them.
In a context related to the Yemeni crisis, Raisi said that the two sides are committed to the necessity of finding a solution to the Yemeni crisis and the continuation of the truce, considering that the continuation of the war in Yemen will only increase the suffering of the people, and called for launching a dialogue between the Yemenis.
Regarding Israel’s steps to normalize its relations with some countries in the region, Raisi stressed that this will not bring it security at all.
As for the Iraqi prime minister, he confirmed that he discussed with the Iranian president the challenges the region is going through, and that the two sides agreed on the need for calm there.
Visit and goals
Al-Jazeera correspondent in Tehran Noureddine Al-Daghir said that Al-Kazemi’s visit to Tehran cannot be separated from his visit to Saudi Arabia, as he came directly from Jeddah to Tehran, and stated that there are exchanged messages in which Al-Kazemi is trying to coordinate between the two countries.
Al-Dughair added that this can be demonstrated by the positions expressed by Al-Kazemi and Raisi regarding the so-called files of conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and by this he specifically means the Yemeni file.
Al-Jazeera correspondent said that there is now a common point between Iran and Saudi Arabia regarding the Yemeni file, and an agreement between them on a ceasefire and a political dialogue, in order to resolve the Yemeni crisis and deliver humanitarian aid.
After the press conference, Al-Kazemi is expected to meet with the Secretary-General of the Iranian National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, and the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Al-Kazemi had held official talks at the Royal Court at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Saturday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries and areas of joint cooperation.
Strengthening and endeavours
According to Al-Kazemi’s office, the meeting witnessed an emphasis on strengthening economic integration, and the two parties also stressed the prominent role of Iraq in bringing views in the region closer, and pushing forward calm efforts and constructive dialogues.
Al-Kazemi had arrived in Jeddah on an official visit, and the German news agency quoted Iraqi sources as saying that he will discuss with the Saudi Crown Prince several issues, most notably ways to make progress in negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, leading to the full resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
It is scheduled to hold talks with the Iranians on the same file.
And held in recent months 5 rounds of talks between Iranian and Saudi officials in Iraq, which shares borders with both countries.
At the conclusion of the fifth round of negotiations last April, Al-Kazemi said he was convinced that “an understanding is soon” between Riyadh and Tehran, the two powers that accuse each other of destabilizing the Middle East.