ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has officially invited Iraqi President Nizar Amedi to visit Tehran, according to a statement from the Iraqi presidency released on Tuesday. Pezeshkian extended the invitation during a phone conversation with Amedi ahead of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, the statement said. The two presidents stressed “the importance of stopping the war and ending tensions in the region through dialogue and diplomacy,” while emphasizing the need to prioritize “the language of understanding” to reinforce regional security and stability. The US and Israel launched a major aerial campaign against Iran on February 28. Washington and Tehran later reached a ceasefire in early April and are currently discussing extending the truce. During Tuesday’s call, Pezeshkian and Amedi also discussed relations between Baghdad and Tehran, reaffirming their commitment to expanding cooperation in political, economic, and trade sectors “in a way that serves mutual interests.” Iran and Iraq maintain close political and economic ties, with Tehran wielding significant influence in Iraq through allied political parties and armed groups. Baghdad has long sought to balance its relations with neighboring Iran and the United States, particularly during periods of heightened regional tensions.
