Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visited Tehran on Sept. 12-13 and met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other high-ranking officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber and National Security Advisor Ali Shamkhani.

This is Kadhimi’s second trip to Tehran in less than a year and his first visit to Iran after Raisi took office. There are three major reasons that this trip was significant. 

First, it fits with Iraq’s diplomatic focus on keeping positive relations with neighbors and the region. Baghdad has hosted three rounds of negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia during last few months, and Al-Monitor has learned that a new round is planned to be held soon. Baghdad also hosted a regional conference last month which included all Iraqi neighbors, except Syria, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and France. The conference agendas and final statements stressed regional cooperation, in terms of reducing tension and building economic partnerships.

This week's meetings revolved around the bilateral relationship and “coordination with regard to regional and international issues, and strengthening the region's security and stability,” the prime minister's office said.