The president of the Iranian Parliament and head of the negotiating team, Mohamed Baqer Qalibaf, emphasized this Wednesday that his trip to Iraq aims to "reinforce the new order established in the region" of the Middle East, making it clear that it must be done without "foreign interference."
Qalibaf made these statements after landing at Baghdad International Airport, the capital of Iraq and the place where in January 2020 the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was assassinated by the United States. "Today's visit to Iraq seeks to accelerate mutual cooperation among all countries in the region, without the intervention of foreign powers," the Iranian leader stressed.
In the same vein, he pointed out that Islamic nations must "seek to establish deep relationships and security ties" that are based on "sustainable economic cooperation." "The Islamic Republic of Iran declares its full willingness to implement this regional model," he noted, presenting Tehran as the engine of this collaboration scheme.
The Iranian authorities had already announced this visit, conceived to analyze the regional scenario once the 60-day deadline set for negotiating a possible definitive peace agreement with the United States has expired. The agenda also includes meetings focused on security at the borders, operations against terrorism, strengthening economic ties, and the effective implementation of agreements already signed between both parties.
At the same time, the Iraqi government has indicated that the discussions will also address the issue of Iraq's oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route that remains blocked indefinitely and whose situation affects the crude flows in the region.