Iraq and Iran affirmed in a joint statement issued on Thursday following Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Tehran that resolving regional crises can only be achieved through dialogue and with the participation of regional states, stressing the need to adopt political solutions to enhance security and stability.

The two sides stressed in the statement, published by the Iraqi Prime Minister’s media office, that addressing regional crises requires rejecting foreign interference, whether military or political, affirming that dialogue and regional cooperation represent the best way to address common challenges.

Iraqi Prime Minister and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian agreed, according to the statement and within the framework of deepening bilateral relations and strengthening ties between the two countries, to prepare and draft a comprehensive and strategic document aimed at expanding cooperation between Iraq and Iran and institutionalizing it in all fields. They decided that the foreign ministers of the two countries, in cooperation and coordination, will complete the final version of the draft document as soon as possible and submit it to senior officials in both countries for signature and implementation.

Reception ceremony for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at Saadabad Palace in the capital Tehran, accompanied by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. July 23, 2026 - pmo.iq

Baghdad and Tehran affirmed the convergence of their views on many current issues and challenges, and considered the continuation of bilateral and multilateral consultations an indispensable necessity for maintaining security and stability in the region, according to the statement.

The two countries reiterated their firm and principled stance on the Palestinian issue and their standing with the Palestinian people in achieving their aspirations to obtain their full legitimate rights and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Memoranda of Understanding

Earlier, the Iraqi Prime Minister affirmed that Baghdad will not allow any threat to Iran to emanate from Iraqi territory.

The Iraqi Prime Minister’s media office quoted al-Zaidi as saying: 'Our security is shared, and we will not allow any threat to Iran to emanate from Iraqi territory.'

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the Iraqi Prime Minister’s visit is 'extremely important' given the current circumstances in the region.

The official TV channel Al-Alam quoted Araghchi as saying: 'We share common interests and concerns with Iraq, and this visit will yield positive results in the interest of both countries.'

Iranian television announced the signing of four memoranda of understanding with Iraq, while the Iraqi government announced the signing of an agreement for shipping and land transport and a memorandum of understanding for extending a railway line with Iran.

"We Are Not Part of the War"

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein had affirmed Baghdad’s readiness to play a mediating role between Tehran and Washington.

Hussein said in an interview with Al-Sharq in Washington last Friday that Iraq will present its vision during the Prime Minister’s visit to Iran regarding the need to stop the war, stressing that any discussion of initiatives, especially economic aspects, first requires an end to escalation, and that 'everything can be discussed if the war ends.'

The Iraqi Foreign Minister added that Baghdad is ready to mediate between Tehran and Washington, especially on economic files, stressing that the priority at the current stage is to stop the war and prepare conditions for dialogue.

Hussein indicated that the Iraqi Prime Minister’s tour also includes a visit to Turkey on July 28, along with a possible visit to Saudi Arabia.