Iran’s Pezeshkian calls Iraqi leaders as Khamenei praises militias: What to know

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held calls with new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and President Nizar Amedi on Tuesday, reflecting Iran’s efforts to shore up ties with its neighbor in the face of regional pressure.

What happened: Pezeshkian spoke to both Iraqi leaders in separate calls, during which he urged the two countries' governments to “continue high-level consultations and accelerate the implementation of joint agreements,” the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Pezeshkian called for calm in the region and invited both leaders to visit Tehran, according to the agency.

The official Iraqi News Agency reported that both calls focused on “reducing tensions” in the region, adding that the leaders exchanged greetings for the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday.