Iraqi Foreign Minister in Tehran
The Iraqi Foreign Minister met with his Iranian counterpart Muhammad Javad Zarif to discuss relations between the two countries and international developments.
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Zarif and Hussein discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and Iran and the latest regional and international developments
According to Iranian “ISNA” news, the Foreign Minister of Iraq Fouad Hussein, landed in Tehran today, Tuesday, to meet with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Zarif.
The minister of Iraq’s visit coincides with Iraq hosting a “regional conference” at the end of August, in which multiple neighboring leaders are invited.
The agency reported that the two ministers held a meeting at the headquarters of the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran’s center.
The agency divulged that along discussing their country relations and latest international and regional developments, the Iraqi Foreign Minister would present an invitation to Iranian authorities to attend the Baghdad International summit.
On the eve of the visit, Iraq had announced that Emmanuel Macron, President of France, intends to participate in a “regional conference” at the end of August hosted by Baghdad.
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that others invited to the conference include Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In recent months, due to Iraq’s mediation, talks have taken place in Baghdad between Iranian and Saudi officials. The talks aim at improving relations between the two rivals in the region after Riyadh cut off relations in 2016.
Al Mayadeen reporter spoke about Iraqi efforts to hold a conference in Baghdad, attended by leaders from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan, hinting at efforts to hold a bilateral meeting between Iran and Saudi Arabia additionally.
During the Antalya Forum last May, the Iranian Foreign Minister disclosed that “We are ready to send our ambassador to Saudi Arabia tomorrow, and there is nothing better than dialog.”
It is worth noting that Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh expressed last May Iran’s willingness to “conduct talks with Saudi Arabia, at any level,” detailing that “if changing Saudi Arabia’s rhetoric does not lead to a change in its behavior, it will not change its behavior.”
Earlier in April, The Iranian Foreign Minister welcomed Saudi Arabia's change of tone towards Iran, alluding to a new chapter of possible future of cooperation.
