Mustafa al-Kadhimi met Iranian president as part of a regional tour to promote dialogue and stability. The visit followed another one by Josep Borrell, the EU Representative for Foreign Affairs.
A high-profile team led by the prime minister of Iraq landed in the Iranian capital yesterday. After a trip to Saudi Arabia, Mustafa al-Kadhimi is set to meet with several Iranian government representatives.
Al-Kadhimi has been formally received Saadabad, Iranian presidential Palace by Ebrahim Raisi. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and a group of high-level authorities are Al-Kadhimi’s team in Tehran visit.
The Prime Minister of Iraq was warmly welcomed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince a day before arriving in Tehran. Al-Kadhimi and Bin Salman has a short meeting in Jeddah the night before landing in Tehran.
Leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iraq spoke about “efforts to push towards calm and constructive dialogue,” according to Iraqi PM office. The discussions included items that would promote and build regional peace and protection as well as improve bilateral ties.
The Al-Kadhimi visits are in keeping with his prior attempts to promote communication between Tehran and Riyadh, two adversaries in the area. In the more than seven-year-old war in Yemen, the two sides have backed opposing groups.
Raisi and al-Kadhimi did not expressly name Saudi Arabia in the news conference that followed their discussions.
They, nevertheless, referred to the necessity of progress in regional stability and cooperation. Iranian president asserted that “normalizing relations with the Zionist regime and the presence of foreigners will not be good for the region and will not resolve any problems.”
The perpetuation of the conflict in Yemen is not the best course of action, according to both authorities. The war, which has resulted in the worst humanitarian disaster throughout the nation, can only be resolved via discussion.
Al-Kadhimi; From Riyadh to Tehran
Leaders of Iran and Iraq also commended the two-way ties between their two nations. They announced that part of the discussions held between their delegates were aimed at strengthening the cooperation in multiple spheres. A direct train line between Iran and Iraq, as well as easing obstacles to monetary operations and religious pilgrimages were the main subjects of negotiations.
Al-Kadhimi had also a meeting with Iranian foreign minister today. Iranian Foreign Minister office declared that Amirabdollahian and the Iraqi leader discussed Saudi Arabia as the main topic.
More than a year before, Baghdad brokered direct discussions between Tehran and Riyadh held in Baghdad. Five rounds of negotiations have been undertaken thus far, but no agreement has been reached over how to resume official diplomatic connections that were severed six years ago. “The Islamic Republic of Iran wishes nothing but good for the region and supports the reopening of embassies in the capitals of both countries,” Amirabdollahian told the Iraqi Prime minister.
A source close to Iranian security apparatus, which has been leading the discussions, stated after the latest round of negotiations back in April that there is a potential that the two nations arrange a direct meeting at minister-level.
The restoration of Iran’s permanent establishment at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which has its headquarters in Jeddah, appears to be the sole tangible result of the negotiations thus far. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson stated during a press briefing later today that Riyadh wants to begin diplomatic discussions with Tehran.
Saudi Arabia’s shift of policy over Iran dates back to when Riyadh found regional and trans-regional partner removing their support for the intervention in Yemen. For Saudi Arabia, Iran seems to be the only party who can lead the Yemen dispute into a stable point.
