ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Wednesday headed to Tehran to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for talks on bilateral issues and regional developments, particularly the situation in Syria a month after an Islamist-led takeover.
“Discussions covered cooperation and coordination on regional developments, particularly the situation in Syria, stressing the necessity of joint efforts to establish security and stability and maintain Syria’s territorial integrity,” a statement from Sudani’s office said.
Iraq and Iran were both strong allies of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime, which was ousted last month in a blistering offensive by a coalition of rebels led by the Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
In a joint presser, Pezeshkian warned about the repercussions of Assad’s downfall, including a potential re-emergence of “terrorist” cells.
"The possibility of the reactivation of terrorist cells is concerning for Iraq and Iran," Pezeshkian stressed, and said that Tehran and Baghdad share common views on the situation in Syria.
“The stability of Syria is key to the stability of the region,” Sudani said, calling for a “comprehensive political solution” and noting that Baghdad and Tehran respect the wishes of the Syrian people.
Days before Assad’s collapse, the foreign ministers of Iraq, Syria, and Iran met in Baghdad to discuss the developments in Syria and reiterate support for the Syrian regime in an effort to prevent its collapse.
Both Iran and Iraq decided not to intervene in Syria, instead, Iraq bolstered its 600-kilometer border with Syria to to prevent the war from seeping into the neighboring country.
"Iraq is ready to cooperate with all parties to ensure stability in Syria," Sudani stated.
During the escalation of the conflict between the HTS and the Syrian regime, thousands of soldiers from the Iraqi armed forces, including the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), along with border police, were deployed along the Iraqi-Syrian border in Anbar province. Iraq feared that the developments in the neighboring country could negatively affect its security.
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 with the Shiite rule in Tehran.
Pezeshkian also labeled Baghdad as a "strategic and important" partner of Tehran, saying he “highly appreciates” Iraq’s reception of Shiite pilgrims over the past years.
“We have consulted with the Iranian president on the topic of supplying Iraq with gas and energy,” Sudani said, with Iran facing a gas shortage which has led it to cut exports to Iraq.
Iraq’s national grid has depended on gas imports from Iran for years. When the national grid cuts out, customers turn to costly, environmentally damaging private generators.
Iran is also a major trading partner for Iraq. Since the overthrow of the Hussein regime in 2003, Iraq has become an important destination for Iranian goods.
