Iran's supreme leader to Iraqi PM: Iran does not interfere in Iraq-US relations
During Iraqi prime minister's trip to Iran, the two countries emphasized on building a constructive relationship based on mutual respect and national interests.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi arrived in Tehran July 21, heading a high-ranking delegation to discuss the bilateral relations in various aspects, including security cooperation and expanding economy relations.
Kadhimi was welcomed officially by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
“The relationship between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran is not just a matter of having 1,485 kilometers [923 miles] of common borders, but it is rooted deeply in a long history of cultural, social and religious interactions,” Kadhimi said during a joint press conference with Rouhani.
Rouhani affirmed that the two countries have agreed to expand the trading relations to $20 billion and to move forward with many infrastructure projects, including connecting Iran's railway to the railway system of Iraq through the Shalamcheh-Basra railway, and cleaning and dredging Shat al-Arab river in the southern province of Basra.
