Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani said on Tuesday Baghdad will not allow its territories to be used as a platform to threaten Iran’s security.
Sudani was speaking from Tehran where he met with President Ebrahim Raisi.
Speaking at a joint press conference, he said his visit came at an official invitation to discuss bilateral ties, adding: “We will tackle all relations in all fields and the situation in the region.”
“Iraq has not forgotten Tehran’s support to it since 2003 and in the war against the terrorist ISIS gangs,” he added.
The PM stressed that his government places great importance on economic issues, revealing that he agreed with Raisi to activate the work of the joint economic committee.
He also praised Iran for the gas supplies it sends to Iraq.
Sudani added that he discussed with Raisi security affairs and cooperation, saying: “The security of our countries is indivisible.”
“My government is committed to implementing the constitution and preventing the use of Iraqi territories to destabilize Iran,” he stressed.
“Our foreign relations are based on mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of others,” he declared.
Commenting on Iran’s cross-border strikes against Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq, Sudani said: “We will not allow the use of Iraqi territories to threaten Iran’s security.”
“My government is committed to developing cooperation with Iran in all fields,” he went on to say.
Last week, Iran launched a new round of strikes at Iranian Kurdish dissident groups based in Iraq’s northern, semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
Tehran has said the strikes are necessary to protect its borders, while Iraqi Kurdish officials condemned the missile and drone attacks as unprovoked aggression on Iraq.
On Tuesday, Raisi said Iraq's relationship with Tehran is strong, deep-rooted and historic, warning, however, that the foreign military presence in Iraq “increases problems in the region”.
Foreign forces must withdraw from Iraq, he urged, while saying: “Iraq's status is essential for ensuring peace and stability in the region.”
Professor of media at Ahl al-Bayt University, Dr. Ghalib Al-Damey told Asharq Al-Awsat that Sudani’s visit to Tehran “is important for the survival of his government.”
He said Sudani is seeking to win Iran's support, noting that “every prime minister who assumes power in Iraq has to visit Iran and the United States to achieve the required balance between the forces of the region.”
