Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Wednesday, paid a visit to Iraq, with the intention of deepening already close ties with the neighbouring country on his first trip abroad since taking office, Edum News reports.
The three-day trip comes amid turmoil in the Middle East sparked by the war in Gaza, which has drawn in Iran-backed armed groups around the region and complicated Iraq’s relations with the United States.
In a brief statement by the Iraqi premier’s office, “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani welcomes the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian.”
Pezeshkian has also vowed to make relations with neighbouring countries a priority as he seeks to ease Iran’s international isolation and mitigate the impact of US-led sanctions on its economy.
His visit also came after Western powers on Tuesday announced fresh sanctions on Iran for supplying Russia with short-range missiles for use against Ukraine.
Written by Hope James
