Iran reaffirms special focus on Iraq in foreign policy

Shafaq News- Najaf

Iraq holds a distinctive position in Tehran’s foreign policy, Iran’s Consul General in Najaf, Saeed Seyedin, stated on Wednesday, emphasizing that communications between Iranian leaders and Iraqi officials reflect a continued strategy to support “a strong and independent Iraq.”

In remarks to Shafaq News, Seyedin said the Iranian leadership’s view of Iraq “has always been special,” noting that the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei accorded Iraq exceptional attention in Tehran’s regional approach.

He added that the new Iranian leadership, represented by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, continues the same strategy toward Iraq. Seyedin noted that “the leader’s recent messages expressed gratitude to Iraqis for their support and solidarity during the recent war,” reiterating thanks to the Iraqi people across all communities for their positions over the past month.

The remarks follow a report on March 29 that Mojtaba Khamenei had sent messages to Iraqi leaders, expressing appreciation for Iraqis’ support of Iran during the current conflict.

According to the report, one message was delivered to the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, via a delegation that included Humam Hammoudi, Abu Fadak Al-Muhamdawi, and the Iranian ambassador in Baghdad. The message also conveyed support for the Coordination Framework’s position regarding Al-Maliki’s nomination for the premiership, with similar messages expected to be sent to other leaders and to the religious authority Ayatullah Ali Al-Sistani.