The ambassador, who recently presented a copy of his credentials to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, wrote in a note published by the Iraqi News Agency (INA):
As I begin my mission as the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Islamic Republic of Iran, I am honored to represent my country in a nation whose relationship with Iraq is rooted in history and geography and built upon deep human, cultural, and religious ties. This occasion provides an opportunity to reaffirm Iraq’s approach toward its regional neighbors, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran, relations founded on good neighborliness, mutual respect, and shared interests.
Past experience has shown that regional stability can only be achieved through cooperation, dialogue, and confidence-building among the region’s countries, while economic development remains the most sustainable path to strengthening security and stability. Accordingly, Iraq views its neighborhood as its strategic depth and its principal partner in building a more prosperous future for the peoples of the region.
In recent years, Iraq-Iran relations have expanded significantly across the political, economic, cultural, and social spheres, building on their shared historical legacy and deep people-to-people ties. Today, these relations have broad potential to enter a more advanced phase focused on expanding economic partnerships, encouraging investment, increasing trade, and strengthening connectivity, transportation, and energy projects in ways that serve the mutual interests of both countries.
At the same time, Iraq continues to pursue a balanced foreign policy based on national principles and interests, openness toward all countries, avoiding bloc politics, and seeking to bring the views of brothers and friends closer together. Iraq believes dialogue is the best way to resolve disputes and that regional cooperation is the true guarantee of regional security and stability.
On this basis, Iraq possesses substantial soft power rooted in its civilizational standing and its historical, social, cultural, and religious ties with its neighbors, enabling it to play a constructive role in supporting stability and strengthening regional understanding.
Within this framework, relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran remain among Iraq’s highest priorities because of their particular political, economic, and social significance. My mission in Tehran is therefore to develop bilateral relations in line with Iraq’s clear vision, based on mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and expanded cooperation that serves the interests of both friendly nations and peoples.
In this context, the upcoming visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Tehran is of particular importance. The visit reflects Iraq’s commitment to expanding bilateral ties, broadening the horizons of partnership, strengthening coordination on issues of common interest, and reaffirming its approach based on dialogue, constructive engagement, and confidence-building.
In recent years, Iraq has strengthened its regional and international standing by consolidating state institutions, pursuing a balanced foreign policy, and using its regional and international relations to promote development and stability. This has made Iraq a reliable partner and an effective actor capable of building bridges among different parties.
The strength of Iraq-Iran relations extends beyond official ties and is also rooted in the deep bonds between their peoples, bonds derived from a shared civilizational heritage and common human, cultural, and religious values. These ties have been evident on many occasions, particularly through expressions of humanitarian solidarity. One prominent example was the broad participation of the Iraqi people in the funeral ceremonies held in Iraq for the martyred Marja, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, reflecting respect, appreciation, and the depth of people-to-people relations between the two countries.
The annual Arbaeen pilgrimage is another prominent manifestation of this closeness. It embodies the values of brotherhood, solidarity, mutual support, and shared civilizational ties, demonstrating that Iraq-Iran relations are founded not only on common interests but also on deep popular, social, and cultural connections that give them continuity and a distinctive character.
The future of Iraq-Iran relations should be built on making the best use of their shared strengths, expanding economic and cultural cooperation, and strengthening political dialogue in ways that serve the interests of both peoples and contribute to regional security and stability. This is the message I bring as the representative of the Republic of Iraq in Tehran, a message that views good neighborliness not merely as a principle of foreign policy, but as a strategic choice for building a more stable and prosperous future for the entire region.