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Iran, Iraq sign MoU on border security coordination
The agreement was signed between the newly-appointed Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani and Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji in the capital Baghdad. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani was also present at the signing ceremony.
Al Sudani emphasized Iraq's broad efforts to develop relations with Iran to strengthen cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the two nations.
He also reiterated Iraq’s principled position in opposing the Israeli regime’s aggression against Iran and anything that would escalate conflicts at the regional and international levels. The Iraqi prime minister also emphasized Baghdad’s support for the resumption of negotiations between Tehran and Washington on Iran’s nuclear program.
Before his departure to Baghdad on Monday, Larijani told reporters that Tehran and Baghdad have been working on the security agreement that will be signed during his visit.
“We have drafted a security agreement with Iraq, which is a very important issue. Iran's perspective and approach in relations with its neighbors are based on [the fact] that the security of Iranians is the focal point but Iran also pays attention to the security of the neighboring countries,” he said.
He noted that Iran’s security is intertwined with that of neighboring countries.
Iran enjoys close trade ties with the friendly country of Iraq, while the two nations also have a very good level of cooperation, he said.
In March 2023, Iran and Iraq signed a security agreement in Baghdad, encompassing coordination in protecting the shared border.
Larijani also plans to visit Lebanon. He said Iran has deep and broad cooperation with Lebanon as one of the “very important” and influential countries in West Asia, adding that both sides hold constant contacts on various regional developments.
He once again reiterated Iran’s clear stance on developments in Lebanon, stressing the need to maintain the country’s national unity under any circumstances.
“Lebanon’s independence has always been important to us,” the SNSC secretary said, urging the promotion of trade relations between the two countries.