Iran FM Holds Talks with UN Chief, Iraqi Counterpart

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has held separate phone conversations with Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and his Iraqi counterpart Mohamed Ali Alhakim.

During the Saturday talks, Zarif and Guterres discussed the most important international and regional issues and developments.

The Iranian top diplomat also conferred with Iraq’s Alhakim on the latest developments in bilateral ties, particularly the upcoming visit of the Iranian president to Iraq.

President Hassan Rouhani is set to pay an official visit to Iraq on March 11 in order to boost bilateral ties between the two neighbours amid US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Zarif and his deputy Seyyed Abbas Araqchi as well as Minster of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh and Central Bank Governor Abdoldnaser Hemmati have all – in their recent trips to Iraq – made preparations for Rouhani’s upcoming visit.

It will be Rouhani’s first visit to Iraq during his 5 years in office.

Zarif had earlier said that Rouhani’s trip was organized at an official Iraqi invitation.

Iraq shares a 1,450-kilometer border with Iran. The two countries enjoy close relations in different fields.

At Baghdad’s request, Iran has been providing military advisory assistance to Iraq in its counter-terrorism campaign.

Iraq relies heavily on Iranian natural gas to feed its power stations, importing almost 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day. It also imports electricity and a wide range of goods from Iran.

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