Iran says PM Sudani to visit Tehran next week

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani is set to visit Tehran next week to discuss regional developments and bilateral ties, Iran’s foreign ministry announced on Tuesday.

“Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani is scheduled to travel to Tehran late next week to meet and talk with senior officials of the Islamic republic of Iran,” IRNA cited the foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying on Tuesday.

Iran and Iraq have shared a strong relationship since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. 

Tehran has since increased its influence over Baghdad, and the country has dozens of armed groups who are affiliated to the Shiite rule in Tehran.

“This trip is in line with ongoing consultations between Iran and Iraq to expand bilateral relations and discuss regional developments,” Baghaei told reporters on Tuesday.. 

Iran was a staunch supporter of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime, which was toppled by a coalition of rebel groups spearheaded by the Islamist Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8.

The HTS-led groups established a transitional government, led by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, who has promised a future Syrian state that guarantees the rights of all its citizens.

The foreign ministers of Iraq, Syria, and Iran met in Baghdad in early December to discuss the latest developments in Syria and their support for their long-standing ally, aiming to prevent the collapse of Assad's government.

Iranian-Iraqi border commanders had a meeting in Iran’s Mariwan on Tuesday, emphasizing secure borders and urging more cooperation in facilitating the transportation of the pilgrims this year.