Iraqi PM visits Iran, signs agreements in Tehran

July 24, 2026

1–2 minutes

Summary

Iraq, Iran signed new agreements in Tehran as Baghdad sought to deepen ties and expand trade, energy, and security cooperation.

Why this matters

The visit underscored Iraq’s effort to manage ties with both Iran and the United States while deepening economic and security coordination with Tehran. It also highlighted Iraq’s dependence on Iranian energy and the broader regional importance of their relationship.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Iran on Thursday in his first official trip since taking office in May, as the two countries signed agreements and pledged closer cooperation.

The Iraqi News Agency said al-Zaidi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian oversaw the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding on foreign affairs, finance, the economy, and energy in Tehran.

According to INA, the talks focused on strategic cooperation, joint economic and infrastructure projects, and regional developments, including implementation of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.

At a joint meeting of senior Iranian and Iraqi delegations, al-Zaidi thanked Iran for supporting Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State group and said Iraq remained committed to security cooperation with Tehran. He also said Iraq would not accept hostile action against Iran by any party.

“Iraq will never forget Iran’s support in the fight against the [ISIL/ISIL] terrorist group,” he said, according to Pezeshkian’s office.

Pezeshkian said a comprehensive strategic cooperation plan would provide a roadmap for broader ties between Tehran and Baghdad, and said the two countries’ security was closely linked.

In a joint statement issued after the visit, Iran and Iraq said regional crises should be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy, and engagement among regional countries, and reaffirmed support for political solutions based on international law.

The statement said the two governments agreed to draft a long-term strategic cooperation agreement, accelerate existing bilateral accords, and expand coordination in political, economic, security, and cultural matters. Their foreign ministers were tasked with finalizing the draft for signature.

Iran and Iraq also agreed to expand trade and joint investment, speed up the Basra-Shalamcheh railway project, strengthen cooperation in banking, energy, transport, and transit, and remove legal and administrative barriers to joint projects. They said their Joint High Commission would meet annually, alternating between Tehran and Baghdad, under the leadership of the two prime ministers.

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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Iran on Thursday in his first official trip since taking office in May, as the two countries signed agreements and pledged closer cooperation.

The Iraqi News Agency said al-Zaidi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian oversaw the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding on foreign affairs, finance, the economy, and energy in Tehran.

According to INA, the talks focused on strategic cooperation, joint economic and infrastructure projects, and regional developments, including implementation of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.

At a joint meeting of senior Iranian and Iraqi delegations, al-Zaidi thanked Iran for supporting Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State group and said Iraq remained committed to security cooperation with Tehran. He also said Iraq would not accept hostile action against Iran by any party.

“Iraq will never forget Iran’s support in the fight against the [ISIL/ISIL] terrorist group,” he said, according to Pezeshkian’s office.

Pezeshkian said a comprehensive strategic cooperation plan would provide a roadmap for broader ties between Tehran and Baghdad, and said the two countries’ security was closely linked.

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The statement said the two governments agreed to draft a long-term strategic cooperation agreement, accelerate existing bilateral accords, and expand coordination in political, economic, security, and cultural matters. Their foreign ministers were tasked with finalizing the draft for signature.

Iran and Iraq also agreed to expand trade and joint investment, speed up the Basra-Shalamcheh railway project, strengthen cooperation in banking, energy, transport, and transit, and remove legal and administrative barriers to joint projects. They said their Joint High Commission would meet annually, alternating between Tehran and Baghdad, under the leadership of the two prime ministers.
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