Theran – On his first major trip since being appointed secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Laljani will meet with senior Iraqi officials on Monday to press for bilateral and regional security issues. The next stop on the veteran Statistics Man itinerary is Lebanon.
Larijani was welcomed by Iraq’s national security adviser, Kasim al-Arij, upon his arrival at Baghdad airport. He took part in high-level discussions with Iraqi officials after visiting the martial grounds of General Kasem Soleimani, a respected Iranian commander who was assassinated in a US drone attack in 2020.
Larijani’s meeting with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud Al Mashhadani and President Abdul Latif Rashid was followed by another debate with Prime Minister Mohamed Sia al Sudani, the country’s most senior political officer.
Iranian officials told Al Sudani that Iran is grateful for the “balance” of foreign policy that has brought security and stability to Iraq as well as other countries in the region. “The Iraqis are brave and generous, and today’s path to Karbala is a testament to the generosity of the Iraqis.” Larijani had mentioned millions of Iranian pilgrims who recently traveled to Iraq to commemorate Albain, near the tomb of Imam Hossein (AS). The world’s largest pilgrimage to Albain, has served for centuries as an important cultural and religious link that connects Iran and Iraqi people.
According to a report from Iraqi media, Al Sudani said Iraq will place a great importance on relations with Iran and will use a variety of measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation at various levels. Reports suggest that Larijani, who is also the leader of the Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Seiyed Ali Khamenei, conveyed a message to Al Sudani from Iranian President Masaud Pezeshkian before sitting with Aliji and signing the joint security agreement.
Although specific details of the security agreement have not yet been released, the previous agreement, signed in 2023, focuses on removing terrorist and separatist groups from the Iran-Iraq border area.
Another topic discussed during the meeting was the railway connection between the two countries. The aim is to transport passengers and link them to development roads and major regional corridors, suggesting a new cooperative agreement on the issue is approaching.
Larijani’s next destination is Beirut, where Hezbollah faces an increase in Western pressure to disarm. Formed in the 1980s in response to Israel’s occupation of Southern Lebanon, Hezbollah has been the main force in recent decades to counter Israeli attacks. Iranian officials and international analysts warn that disarming Hezbollah will make Lebanon dangerously vulnerable to escalating Israeli violence and expansionism.