Iraqi Parliament Speaker Heybet al-Halbusi received Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and his accompanying delegation in Baghdad on Wednesday. The meeting focused on interparliamentary relations and the importance of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz for Iraq.
The sides discussed activating friendship committees between the parliaments and improving coordination through joint cooperation. Halbusi said Iraq was one of the countries most affected by regional developments.
Halbusi called for the nature of relations between Iraq and Iran to be taken into account. The Iraqi Parliament speaker also said Iraq should be granted special terms for oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and that the arrangement should protect Iraq’s economic interests.
Ghalibaf said Iran attached importance to strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields, particularly trade and the economy. He said monitoring the implementation of agreements signed between the two countries would help advance relations and serve their common interests.
Ghalibaf calls for broader regional cooperation
The Iranian Parliament speaker said Iraq was an important country for the region at a news conference held at the Monument to the Martyrdom of the Victory Commanders in Baghdad. Ghalibaf said the purpose of his visit was to discuss cooperation among the countries of the region without outside intervention.
Ghalibaf said Islamic countries in the region should expand areas of cooperation and establish deep, sustainable relations, adding that Iran was working toward this goal. He also said he would meet with some senior officials in the Iraqi government during his visit.
Ghalibaf arrived at Baghdad International Airport on Wednesday. He was welcomed by Adnan Faihan al-Dulaimi, the first deputy speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, during the visit, whose duration was not disclosed.
Talks resume on safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz
Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on June 18. Implementation of the text, which was expected to lay the groundwork for a final agreement, was disrupted by disagreements over the strait’s security.
In the process that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, Iran struck Israel and US targets in the region. The sides reached a ceasefire agreement in April.
After the United States resumed its attacks on Iran between July 8 and 24, Iran targeted US military facilities and equipment in some Arab countries. Talks on safe routes for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz subsequently resumed.
