Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has met Faiq Zaidan, chairman of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, in Tehran as the two neighbouring countries seek to strengthen bilateral ties amid heightened regional tensions.
According to Ghalibaf’s Telegram channel, the two officials discussed relations between Iran and Iraq during Zaidan’s visit to the Iranian capital.
Ghalibaf and Zaidan discuss bilateral ties
The meeting came just days after Ghalibaf concluded a three day visit to Iraq, where he held talks with senior Iraqi officials on bilateral relations and regional developments.
The latest discussions in Tehran are part of ongoing diplomatic efforts between the neighbouring countries to maintain coordination amid growing instability across the region.
Iran Iraq ties face regional pressure
Iran and Iraq have sought to ease tensions and strengthen cooperation in recent weeks following US and Saudi strikes on bases belonging to Iraq’s Iran backed Popular Mobilisation Forces, or PMF.
Riyadh has said the strikes were carried out after PMF forces launched drone attacks towards Saudi Arabia.
The attacks triggered concerns in Baghdad over violations of Iraqi sovereignty and added pressure on relations between Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Against this backdrop, continued engagement between Iranian and Iraqi officials is seen as an effort to preserve diplomatic channels and prevent further regional escalation.