ALWAGHT- According to President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran is fully prepared to broaden its comprehensive bilateral partnership with Iraq.
In a phone conversation with Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Ali Falih al-Zaydi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described Iraq as more than a neighbor—a brother. He expressed Iran's full readiness to resolve regional disputes through constructive dialogue and mutual respect, while calling for Islamic unity. Pezeshkian stressed that Iran seeks peace, not war or regional instability, and pledged unwavering support for Baghdad.
President Pezeshkian criticized what he called a contradiction in US policy—imposing maximum pressure while demanding negotiations. He ruled out surrendering to unilateral demands and reaffirmed that Iran will never pursue nuclear weapons due to a religious decree, though it will not give up scientific advancements. He also emphasized that Tehran will not submit to bullying or military threats from US bases in the region, urging Washington to withdraw such threats.
In response, Prime Minister-designate Al-Zaydi stated that Iran and Iraq are "two bodies with one soul," vowing to elevate bilateral cooperation in economic, political, and security sectors. He described Iran as Iraq's strategic depth, praising its strength against ISIS as a backbone for the Muslim world. Al-Zaydi also expressed Iraq's readiness to host negotiations between Iran and the US to end hostilities, calling it a religious and political duty, and argued that confrontation must give way to dialogue.
