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 countries, stressing the need to adopt political solutions to enhance security and stability.

The two sides stressed in the statement, published by the media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister, that addressing the region's crises requires rejecting external interference, whether military or political, affirming that dialogue and regional cooperation are the optimal way to address common challenges.

According to the statement, Iraqi Prime Minister and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian agreed, 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. It was decided that the foreign ministers of the two countries, in collaboration and coordination, would complete the final version of the draft document as soon as possible and submit it to senior officials in both countries for signing and implementation.

Reception ceremony for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at Saadabad Palace in Tehran, alongside 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 for 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 media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister 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 "very important" given the current circumstances in the region.

The official Al-Alam TV channel quoted Araghchi as saying: "We share common interests and concerns with Iraq, and this visit is expected to yield positive results that serve the interests 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 to extend 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 would present its vision during the Prime Minister's visit to Iran regarding the necessity of stopping the war, stressing that any discussion of initiatives, especially economic aspects, requires first ending the escalation, and that "everything can be discussed if the war ends."

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

Hussein pointed out that the Iraqi Prime Minister's tour also includes a visit to Turkey on July 28, along with a possible visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.