Baghdad-INA
The Iraqi News Agency (INA) publishes the text of the joint statement issued by the Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran at the conclusion of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's visit to Tehran, as released by the Prime Minister's Media Office.
Text of the Statement:
At the invitation of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the head of a high-level delegation comprising a number of senior political, security, and economic officials.
During the visit, the Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation held talks with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and met with a number of senior Iranian officials. The discussions covered bilateral relations, regional developments, and international issues of mutual interest. The meetings were held in a cordial atmosphere characterized by mutual trust and good-neighborliness, and both sides reaffirmed their determination to continue this constructive approach and further strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two countries.
In the framework of deepening bilateral relations and consolidating the ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to prepare and formulate a comprehensive strategic document aimed at expanding and institutionalizing cooperation between Iraq and Iran across the political, economic, cultural, security, and other areas of mutual interest. Under this agreement, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will work in close coordination to finalize the draft of the document at the earliest opportunity and submit it to the senior leadership of both countries for signature and implementation.
The two sides reaffirmed the deep fraternal ties and longstanding bonds between the peoples of Iraq and Iran. They considered the advancement of bilateral relations in the political, economic, security, cultural, scientific, technological, infrastructure, and people-to-people fields to be a strategic necessity serving the supreme interests of the Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran. They also emphasized their shared political will to elevate bilateral cooperation and make relations between the two countries a successful model of regional cooperation based on mutual respect, shared interests, and good-neighborly relations.
To further enhance coordination, facilitate the implementation of agreements, and deepen strategic cooperation, the two sides agreed to convene the Iraq-Iran Supreme Joint Committee once a year at the leadership level, alternating between the capitals of the two countries. This mechanism will provide the necessary framework for further strengthening and expanding bilateral relations across all sectors.
During the visit, the Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its profound appreciation to the Republic of Iraq—its government and people—for the solidarity, hospitality, and broad participation shown during the funeral procession of the martyred Imam, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei. Both sides underscored the historic significance of this occasion in strengthening the bonds of solidarity between their two peoples.
In the field of economic cooperation, and in light of the significant potential available to both countries, the two sides stressed the importance of expediting the completion of the Basra-Shalamcheh railway project, increasing bilateral trade, expanding joint investments, facilitating the movement of trade, strengthening banking and financial cooperation, and enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, transportation, transit, industry, agriculture, and technical and engineering services. They also agreed to work toward removing legal, administrative, and implementation-related obstacles in order to create conditions for more effective participation by the public and private sectors of both countries, while accelerating the implementation of joint projects and maximizing the utilization of available economic opportunities.
The officials of both countries reaffirmed their commitment to all agreements, documents, and memoranda of understanding concluded between them and stressed the importance of ensuring their full and timely implementation.
In the field of environmental cooperation, and in response to the shared challenges posed by climate change, drought, dust storms, and other environmental threats, the two sides emphasized the importance of expanding scientific, research, and practical cooperation in protecting the shared marshlands, preserving biodiversity, managing water resources, developing modern environmental technologies, exchanging specialized information, and strengthening coordination in regional and international forums. They also agreed to establish joint mechanisms to address environmental crises and implement shared sustainable development programs.
In the field of regional security, the Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran reviewed the latest developments in the region and noted the convergence of their views on many of the current challenges. They considered the continuation of bilateral and multilateral consultations indispensable for preserving regional security, stability, and development. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening security cooperation, combating terrorism, extremism, organized crime, smuggling, and cross-border threats, and agreed to continue close coordination in these areas.
In the fields of cultural and social cooperation, the two sides emphasized, in light of the central role played by religious, civilizational, and people-to-people ties, the importance of strengthening cooperation in culture, science, academia, media, tourism, religious pilgrimage, and the exchange of expertise and professional competencies. They affirmed that strengthening the bonds between the peoples of the two countries constitutes a fundamental pillar for consolidating their long-term strategic partnership.
The Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their strategic dialogue, fully implementing their bilateral agreements, and expanding comprehensive cooperation across all fields. Both sides expressed their conviction that strengthening bilateral relations serves not only the shared interests of the two brotherly peoples, but also contributes to promoting stability, security, prosperity, regional integration, and sustainable development in West Asia, while providing a successful model of cooperation among Islamic countries based on mutual respect, trust, responsible good-neighborliness, and shared interests.
The two sides further affirmed that regional crises can only be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy, and the constructive engagement of the countries of the region, on the basis of respect for state sovereignty and the rejection of foreign military or political interference. In this context, they expressed their support for peaceful political solutions grounded in the principles of international law to bring regional crises to an end.
The two countries reaffirmed their firm and principled position on the Palestinian cause and their continued support for the Palestinian people in realizing their legitimate aspirations, securing their full legitimate rights, and establishing an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital.
