Iraqi prime minister arrives in Iran after Saudi visit

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has arrived in Tehran to hold talks with senior Iranian officials after a key trip to the Islamic Republic's bitter rival Saudi Arabia.

The Iraqi premier was officially welcomed by Iranian First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri on Tuesday. Immediately after the ceremonies, the two senior officials started negotiations about ways to boost Tehran-Baghdad relations and the latest developments in the Middle East.

Jahangiri and Abadi also attended a joint press conference.

Addressing the briefing, the Iraqi prime minister said the two sides stressed the importance of expanding mutual relations, adding that they also made decisions to fight terrorism in a more strict way.

Jahangiri also said Iran and Iraq must strengthen cooperation on the campaign against terrorism.

He added that the two sides exchanged views about ways to solve banking problems and boost economic interaction in several sectors.

According to reports, Abadi plans to hold talks with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani.

At the end of his day-long stay in Tehran, the Iraqi premier will set off for Kuwait to meet with the country’s senior officials.

Abadi is on the three-nation tour of regional countries amid the ongoing diplomatic turmoil in the Persian Gulf.

SS