TEHRAN – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shea al-Sudani received his accompanying delegation on Monday, Mahmoud Nababian, the first vice-chairman of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.
The conference focused on regional security dynamics, recent developments and the Israeli regime’s attacks on Iran.
Al Sudani highlighted Baghdad’s “solid and consistent stance in refusing to attack,” revealing that Iraq has filed a formal complaint with the United Nations condemning the attack.
He further outlined Iraq’s diplomatic efforts, saying that the country will “continue to actively communicate with world leaders and international authority to support regional stability and prevent conflict escalation.”
In response, Nababian gave greetings from Iranian President Masudo Pezeshkian and Congress President Mohamad Bakar Karibah, expressing his gratitude to Tehran for “condemning the Iraqi government’s stance and attacks on its highest religious authority.”
Nababian emphasized the important need for a coordinated position to ensure regional stability and achieve the aspirations of Arab and Muslim states for sustainable development.
High levels of engagement are based on sustained diplomatic momentum among neighbors. The visit follows a major trip to Baghdad in September 2024 by Iranian President Masuud Pezeshkian. Baghdad was his first international visit as president, and the two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding spanning economics, trade, agriculture, services, communications and religious tourism, aiming for “development and open broraider paths for partnerships.”
Earlier this year, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani traveled to Tehran where both sides “reaffirmed the depth of their bond” during meetings with President Peshshkian and other officials.
Security adjustments
The parliamentary delegation, which also includes committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezai and member Ali Kezlian, arrived in Baghdad on Saturday. Their visit began symbolically at the memorial of the Resistance Martyr, Major General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandi. There, the Quran poems were recited in honor of defeating the terrorist attacks that were supported by the US in the region.
The talks arise against the backdrop of US and Israeli attacks. During the 12-day war launched by the Israeli regime, the United States began a massive strike at Iran’s civil nuclear facility on June 22. The operation reportedly included a B-2 spirit stealth bomber. center.
Reports suggest that elements of the Strike Package transport Iraqi airspace and that the US military in Iraq is providing logistics and information support. Salem al-Mohamadawi, head of Iraq’s Security Committee, greeted the Iranian delegation upon arrival, but repeatedly said that such activities by foreign Iraqi forces were “illegal” and that “orders have been issued to curb such operations.”
The war brought over 1,062 Iranian martyrs, including senior military commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of civilians.
Arbaeen: Pillars of unity and cooperation
Strategic consultations also cover cultural and religious cooperation. The Iranian delegation met Ammar Al-Hakim, the leader of Iraq’s national wisdom movement.
Hakim highlighted the vast Abainian pilgrimage, the world’s largest annual religious gathering commemorating the 40th day after Imam Hussein’s martialism, “acknowledging the “pivotal role” that strengthens official and general cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iraq and Iran, deepening the two-way direction of both systems.
He further called for “enhancing parliamentary cooperation and exchanging expertise through the joint committee.
This focus on Arbaeen highlights its importance as a “primary model of neighbours’ policy” and as a catalyst for unprecedented logistics and security coordination.
Only last week, the interior ministers of Iran, Iraq and Pakistan were convened in Tehran for a trilateral summit to finalize security and logistics arrangements for future pilgrimages.
Iran’s Home Minister Eskandar Momeni declared that cooperation had reached a “strategic level” and directly linked pilgrim safety to regional stability and praised the solidarity of Iraq and Pakistan following the Israeli attacks.
Iraqi Home Minister Abdul Amir al-Shamari confirmed the preparations under Al Sudani’s instructions and said “services and logistics facilities are fully prepared,” recalling more than five million foreign pilgrims in 2024, including three million Iranians.
The enormous scale of Arbaeen, attracting tens of millions, requires deep cross-border collaboration on security, transportation and hospitality infrastructure, transforming it into both profound spiritual events and a critical platform for institutionalized regional partnerships.