Sudani invites Iran’s president-elect to Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani invited Iran’s president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian to Iraq during a phone call on Monday.

“The phone conversation covered bilateral relations and emphasized the continuation of joint cooperation efforts in various sectors, including economic and security files, to enhance the interests of the neighboring countries and the prosperity of their peoples,” read a statement from Sudani’s office.

“Prime Minister Al-Sudani extended an official invitation to the newly elected Iranian president to visit Iraq to strengthen relations and discuss several important issues,” it added. 

Pezeshkian won Iran’s snap presidential elections on Friday, beating ultraconservative rival Saeed Jalili.

Pezeshkian is yet to be sworn in as the new president of the Islamic republic. 

The vote was originally scheduled for 2025, but it was brought forward after then-president Ebhraim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May alongside several companions including late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Raisi was set to visit Baghdad and Erbil prior to the crash. Iraqi and Kurdish leaders attended his funeral.

“President Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Al-Sudani and confirmed his country's eagerness to expand cooperation and support bilateral agreements in many areas, contributing to the stability of both countries and the region,” Sudani’s office noted.