Iran’s parliament speaker set to visit Iraq Wednesday for talks on regional developments

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf is set to begin a two-day visit to Iraq on Wednesday for talks with senior Iraqi officials on bilateral, regional, and international issues, Iranian media reported Tuesday.

State broadcaster IRIB said Qalibaf’s talks will focus on regional developments, strengthening strategic cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad, and exploring joint measures to help promote stability and security in West Asia.

The talks will also cover strengthening bilateral relations, border security, counterterrorism, expanding economic cooperation, and implementing agreements between the two countries.

Qalibaf, who is Iran’s top negotiator in talks with the US, is expected to meet with senior Iraqi officials and other high-ranking figures during the visit, the broadcaster said.

Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad, Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadeq, told the ISNA news agency that Qalibaf will meet Iraq’s parliament speaker, prime minister, president, head of the Supreme Judicial Council, and national security adviser during the two-day visit.

Qalibaf is also expected to attend a ceremony in the central Iranian city of Karbala on Thursday marking the 40th day since the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he added.

The diplomat said the visit had been planned in advance and was taking place following an earlier official invitation from the Iraqi parliament speaker.

Asked whether the trip was related to recent developments involving Iran, Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), the ambassador said it had “no connection,” reiterating that the visit had been previously planned.

He said the trip was nevertheless particularly important given regional developments and that consultations between Tehran and Baghdad could contribute to greater stability in the region.

Qalibaf’s visit comes just days after a drone attack targeted the residence and private office of Masrour Barzani, the head of the KRG in northern Iraq, prompting Baghdad to seek an official clarification from Tehran. Iran denied involvement in the attack and condemned it.

The talks will also cover strengthening bilateral relations, border security, counterterrorism, expanding economic cooperation, and implementing agreements between the two countries.

Qalibaf, who is Iran’s top negotiator in talks with the US, is expected to meet with senior Iraqi officials and other high-ranking figures during the visit, the broadcaster said.

Qalibaf is also expected to attend a ceremony in the central Iranian city of Karbala on Thursday marking the 40th day since the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he added.

The diplomat said the visit had been planned in advance and was taking place following an earlier official invitation from the Iraqi parliament speaker.

He said the trip was nevertheless particularly important given regional developments and that consultations between Tehran and Baghdad could contribute to greater stability in the region.