Iranian president Rouhani starts official visit to Iraq

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived Monday in Iraq on an official visit, during which he will meet with senior Iraqi officials, including President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi.

During his first-of-its-kind trip to Iraq, Rouhani will discuss with the Iraqi officials means of boosting relations between Baghdad and Tehran, as well as the latest developments at the regional and international levels.

The U.S. sanctions against Iraq will also top Rouhani’s agenda in Iraq.

The trip was described as “historic and noble” by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is currently on a visit to Iraq as well.

Zarif said Rouhani’s visit to Iraq will be the beginning of a new chapter in Tehran-Baghdad relations.

“Mr. Rouhani is traveling to Iraq for the first time in his presidency, and we consider the trip a new start in our relations with Iraq,” Zarif told the Iraqi al-Forat satellite TV network in an interview aired on Saturday.

Zarif referred to the measures of cooperation that are scheduled to be bilaterally approved during the Iranian president’s visit to Iraq and called them “historic.”