The security agreement was signed between newly appointed Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani and Kasim al-Arij, Iraqi national security adviser in Baghdad. Prime Minister Mohammed Shea, Prime Minister Al Sudani, had overseen the signing of the agreement.
Ali Larijani has embarked on a regional trip to Iraq and Lebanon in two countries. On the first foot of his tour, he arrived in Baghdad on Monday and was welcomed by RAQI national security adviser, Kasim al-Arij.
“We have drafted a security agreement with Iraq, which is a very important issue. The Iranian perspective and approach in relation to neighbors is based on the (fact) that while the focus is on Iranian security, Iran also pays attention to the safety of neighbors,” he said before he left.
He noted that Iran’s security is intertwined with the security of neighboring countries.
Although Iran enjoys close trade ties with friendly Iraqi countries, he said both countries also have a very good level of cooperation.
For the purposes of his trip, the Iranian security chief explained that he was explaining plans to discuss ways to expand Tehran-Baghdad’s cooperation in a meeting with top Iraqi officials.
In March 2023, Iran and Iraq signed a security agreement in Baghdad, covering coordination to protect shared borders.
Larijani also said Iran has deep and broad cooperation with Lebanon as one of the “very important” influential countries in West Asia, adding that both sides have certain contacts with various regional developments.
He once again reiterated Iran’s clear stance on Lebanon’s development, underscoring the need to maintain the country’s unity under any circumstances.
“Lebanon’s independence has always been important to us,” the SNSC Director said he urged the promotion of trade relations between the two countries.
Like Iran, Lebanon is also involved in a fierce conflict with the Israeli regime, he added, highlighting that bilateral negotiations can play an effective role in improving regional stability.
rhm/