Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is in Iran on his first official visit since taking office in May 2026. During the visit, al-Zaidi is holding talks with senior Iranian officials on bilateral cooperation, shared interests, and regional security.

The Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported on Thursday, July 23rd, that al-Zaidi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian oversaw the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering foreign affairs, finance, the economy, and energy sectors in Tehran.

Al-Zaidi stated, “We will meet with senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran to discuss issues of mutual interest, bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and ongoing efforts to consolidate security and stability across the region.”

According to Al-Daami, a key objective of al-Zaidi’s visit is to urge Iran to cease its support for armed groups in Iraq. Additionally, al-Zaidi is delivering a message from the United States, which supports Iraq acting as a mediator amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.

Earlier in July, during the week-long funeral for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the procession passed through the Iraqi Shia pilgrimage cities of Najaf and Karbala, underscoring the close religious and political ties between the two countries.

This visit raises questions about whether Baghdad can redefine its relationship with Tehran amid complex regional dynamics.

Sources