Iran, Iraq to strengthen bilateral ties in pursuit of Raisi's legacy

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 May 2024 22:06

The interim Iranian and Iraqi presidents reaffirm their commitment to continuing late President Ebrahim Raisi's regional strategy.

Interim Iranian President Mohammad Mokhber meets with Iraqi President Adul Latif Rashid who was offering condolences in Tehran, Iran, on May 25, 2024. (Social media)

In a meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, interim Iranian President Mohammad Mokhber praised late president Ebrahim Raisi's focus on improving ties with neighboring nations. Mokhber held talks with Rashid during the latter's visit to Tehran to offer condolences for the death of Raisi and his companions in the tragic helicopter crash.

"Our martyred president did great actions and made important achievements. Perhaps one of his most outstanding actions was to raise the level of Iran's relations with Islamic, neighboring, and aligned countries, which was honestly very successful in that regard," Mokhber said.

The acting president of Iran stated that late President Raisi prioritized relations with Iraq and played a significant role in bolstering the Axis of Resistance, which disrupted global power dynamics by aligning with independent nations and challenging US and Israeli attempted hegemony, particularly amid the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.

"No doubt that the strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the government and people of Iraq, which was pursued by Ayatollah Raeisi will continue with force from now on," Mokhber underscored.

On his part, the Iraqi president, offering his condolences, said, "His [President Raisi] martyrdom was a great loss and unparalleled tragedy not only for the Iranian nation but also for the Iraqi nation and the entire region," vowing that the Iraqi government and nation will stand by the government and nation of Iran during these difficult times.

Rashid then concluded by saying, "Our strong relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue with force and we will take all necessary measures to strengthen the level of these relations."

Policy of de-escalating ties with neighbors will continue: Iran's FM

The country's strategic policy of de-escalating ties with neighbors is an effective strategy for regional cooperation and will definitely continue, Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani vowed earlier on May 23.

The Iranian acting foreign minister held talks with the UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan who was visiting Iran to attend the funeral of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, alongside their companions.

After expressing condolences to high-ranking officials, the Iranian government, and the people on the passing of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian, the Emirati foreign minister said his visit to Iran in this difficult situation is to express the depth of friendship and solidarity and emphasize the brotherly relations between both countries.

In a similar sentiment, the Iranian acting foreign minister stressed that empathy and companionship in difficult times are valuable assets for cooperation to jointly benefit from opportunities and address threats and challenges disrupting the peace, stability, and security in the region.

Bagheri Kani added that the de-escalation of relations with neighbors is an effective strategy for regional cooperation and a definitive strategic policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which will definitely continue.