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On the Iraqi-Iranian agreement


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Joint statement between Iraq and Iran on a spiritual visit

5:18 - 12/03/2019

 
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Baghdad - Mawazine News 
The Information Office of the Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, Tuesday, the joint statement on the details of the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rohani to Iraq, which will last three days. 
The statement reads as follows: 
Joint statement between the Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran 

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Hassan Rowhani and his accompanying delegation received a three-day visit on 11/3/2019 at the invitation of the Iraqi side. Expressing the extent of the intimate relations between the two countries as a turning point in building strategic partnership and developing relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples in all fields on the basis of deep cooperation and non-interference in the internal affairs of the two countries.

Iraq has valued the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in its assistance in the fight against terrorism, being the first to provide logistical and advisory support and to stand with it in its war against terrorism. The Iranian side praised Iraq's decision that it would not be part of the sanctions regime. The Iranian side expressed its firm stance towards supporting the political process in Iraq, which represents all the people of the country, its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and all measures it takes in the face of terrorism.

The two parties held important talks in a fraternal, friendly and constructive atmosphere and expressed their desire to develop political, security, economic, health, trade, cultural, scientific, technical and other relations. They stressed the depth of the historical, popular, cultural, religious and geographical connection between them. The Iranian side expressed its readiness to provide the Iraqi side with its scientific, technical and research expertise. The Iraqi side met with similar preparations to develop the capabilities, sciences and experiences of the two countries.

The two sides discussed a number of regional issues, common challenges, combating terrorism and cooperation to enhance the security and stability of the region and to build economic partnerships that benefit and benefit their peoples. The two sides also discussed the security of the region and their key role in their economic prosperity and trade and stressed that the establishment of security in the region is the responsibility of their children. The two sides affirmed their firm determination to combat terrorism and organized transnational crimes that threaten security and peace in the region. They also stressed the importance of using all efforts to eradicate terrorism politically, financially and intellectually.

The two sides discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and signed memorandums of understanding in several fields, including: oil, trade, health and transport to establish railways between Shalamjah and Basra, and facilitate visas for businessmen and investors of both countries. The two sides also discussed a draft security agreement to be officially submitted to the diplomatic channels for passing and the adoption of administrative and legal measures. 

The two sides stressed the importance of establishing new border ports between them, and the establishment of joint industrial cities and the implementation of direct transport of goods between the two countries without unloading in the international border between them. The two sides discussed the transfer of skilled manpower between the two countries, health, therapeutic, educational and medical cooperation, pharmaceutical trade and facilitating the registration of pharmaceutical companies between the two countries.

The two sides reaffirm their efforts to increase trade, investment, economic, technical, engineering and industrial exchanges in order to boost development in both countries and the region. In this regard, the Iranian side expressed its support for the reconstruction of Iraq by providing expertise and participation of Iranian companies in the above mentioned fields. The Iraqi side welcomed the participation of Iranian companies and investors in this regard and called for corresponding facilities for the work of Iraqi companies and businessmen in Iran to achieve common interests.

The two sides discussed ways to facilitate the granting of visas to nationals of the two countries for the purposes of tourism, visit, trade, medical tourism and religious visits. It was also agreed in this regard to facilitate the granting of visas to businessmen in both countries. The Iranian party announced its cancellation of visa fees for Iraqi citizens as of April 1, 2019. The Iraqi side also announced reciprocity in conjunction with the other party. 

As for Shatt al-Arab, the parties declared their serious intention to implement the Hudood and Good-Neighborly Agreement between Iraq and Iran dated 13 June 1975 and the protocols and agreements thereto, in good faith and with precision. In accordance with the 1975 Convention and the relevant Protocol as soon as possible.

According to the above paragraph, the Al-'Amiya platform remains an Iraqi platform as it was, without affecting the talks of the parties in determining the maritime border between the two countries. 

The Iranian side expressed its thanks and gratitude for the warm welcome and warm hospitality extended to Iraq, and wished the government and people the best of progress and prosperity.

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Editorial date:  2019/3/13 0:23  131 times read
Iranian official explains the importance of a spiritual visit to Imam al-Sistani
(International: Euphrates News) Iranian official returned to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rowhani Supreme Religious Imam Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, scheduled Wednesday in the province of Najaf, "unique".
The head of the Committee on Security and Foreign Policy in the Iranian parliament, Hishmatullah Fallah Bisha, in a press statement, "The meeting of President Rohani with the reference Supreme [Sistani] will be unique and can greatly affect the relations between the two countries." 
He attributed the importance of the meeting to the Imam al-Sistani "has a major role in political developments inside Iraq." 
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani is scheduled to conclude his three-day visit to Iraq on Wednesday to visit Najaf al-Ashraf and meet religious leaders in the city. 
Rohani arrived in Baghdad on Monday morning at the official invitation of a high-level government delegation, which concluded 22 agreements and memorandums of understanding in various political, economic, financial, trade, environmental and other fields.
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12-03-2019 10:45 PM
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Baghdad:

 TEHRAN - Iranian President Hassan Rowhani met on Tuesday with a number of tribes in Karbala province amid widespread criticism of the move.

 

Bloggers and activists posted on social networking sites showed pictures of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani meeting with a number of Iraqi middle Euphrates clans in Karbala province.

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Activists criticized the meeting, wondering: What entered the official visit to meet a head of state with tribes that do not have any official or official status?

 

Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian President Hassan Rowhani left Baghdad for the western province of Karbala.

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On Monday morning, Rohani arrived in Baghdad on an official visit, the first since he took office. He held several meetings with the three Iraqi presidencies, and trade and economic agreements were signed between the two countries.

 

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The visit of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani to Iraq opened the door to speculation about a new Iranian policy to be adopted by Tehran in Iraq, based on the removal of the Iraqi file from the Revolutionary Guard and the commander of the Qods Force Qasim Soleimani and linking it directly to the official decision centers.

 
 

 

 

 

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12-03-2019 03:21 PM
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Baghdad

The head of the Center for Strategic Studies in Iraq, Wathiq al-Hashemi, said Tuesday that there are several goals behind the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani to Iraq, including the deep state.

"The visit of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani to Iraq stands behind several goals that Tehran seeks to achieve, perhaps the most prominent of which is the failure of Iraq to implement US sanctions against Iran," al-Hashimi said in a statement.

"The concept of the deep state can not be ignored from such visits. There are deep countries, not only one country in Iraq, represented by parties and armed groups. Even the clans have become a deep state."

Al-Hashemi said that "America, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and other countries are seeking to establish the so-called deep state in Iraq to achieve their interests in Iraq."

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http://www.iraqtradelinknews.com/2019/03/iraq-iran-agree-implementing-algiers.html?m=1....

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Iraq, Iran agree “implementing Algiers agreement” of 1975

 
 
shatt%2Bal%2Barab.pngBaghdad/ Iraq TradeLink: Baghdad and Tehran announced  an agreement to implement the borders
agreement and good neighborly relations signed in Algiers in 1975.
 
barham%252C%2Brouhani.jpgThe news was pronounced both in the two capitals, coinciding with the visit made by the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to the Iraqi capital.
 
Ex-president Saddam Hussein  cancelled the agreement in September, 1980, before the Iraqi-Iranian war by three days.
 
On Shatt-al-Arab Waterway, both sides stressed their intention to implement the agreement which was signed in Tehran on 13 June, 1975 and it protocols.
 
The statement said that both sides will jointly undertake the cleaning of Shatt-al-Arab Waterway to reopen the navigation canal at the Thalwig line, according to 1975 agreement, “at the soonest”.
 
It added that al-Umaya Platform is an Iraqi one, as it was before, without affecting the talks of both sides on the demarcation of border lines between the two sides.
 
1975 Agreement recognized that Shatt-al-Arab will be divided between the two sides.
 
Before the arrival of President Rouhani to Baghdad, news were circulated that this topic will be the main point in the agenda of the talks.
 
Earlier, ex- and late Iraqi president Jalal Talabani said in 2007 that the Algiers Agreement was cancelled and rejected to recognize it during his visit to Tehran.
 
On the other side, the statement pointed that both sides will increase their efforts for trade, investment, economic, technical and industrial services.
 
The fares of the visas between the two sides were cancelled starting from 1 April, 2019, the statement added.
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US comment on a spiritual visit: Washington does not see the reality of relations between Baghdad and Tehran

Political | 11:11 - 13/03/2019

 
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BAGHDAD - 
A former US diplomat described Iran's visit to Iraq as very important, saying that comparing Rohani's visit to Trump's secret and short visit to Iraq underscores the soft influence and credibility of Tehran among Iraqi leaders and people. 
"The visit of President Hassan Rowhani to Iraq was very important in terms of time and strategic relations between the two neighboring countries," Mikkel Esperingman said in an interview with Mawazine News. "During this visit, economic and trade agreements were signed Making it easier to trade between the two countries. " 
"Iran has a fundamental importance in terms of the supply of gas and electricity to Iraq, and Iran believes in 45 percent of Iraqi gas," Truman said. "The Trump government can not deny these facts."

The former US diplomat in Saudi Arabia described Iran's three-day visit to Iraq as "Trump's attempt to increase economic pressure on Iran." The two sides agreed in Baghdad to a mechanism for financial and banking exchange in foreign currencies other than the dollar, The US embargo is a successful initiative. " 
Esperingman criticized the Trump administration's policy on Iraq's relations with Iran and said: "They are ignoring the facts on this issue, that the ties between the two countries are important and historical, that Iraq needs Iranian electricity and gas and can not be condoned in response to American will. 
He added that Trump traveled to Iraq for half an hour and in the middle of the night; that person wants to pass his policies in Iraq, Iran and any other country, this approach is not achieved.
"On the other hand, America was behind the war and destruction in Iraq, and the Iraqi people are very angry with America," said the former US consul general in Jeddah. US policies have created a great disaster for the Iraqi people. For this reason, America's influence and influence on Iraqis is very limited. The Trump government's pressure on Iran and the disruption of trade relations between Iraq and Iran are extremely difficult. 
A praiseworthy initiative Esperingen 
praised Iran's approach to various political movements in Iraq, saying that Rohani, in addition to his meeting with the Iraqi president and prime minister, had met all Iraqi leaders from different approaches. I think this comprehensive approach has a great impact. In fact, a major step has been taken to overcome the bad memories of the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq.
He said that the three-day visit was the result of previous performance of the Islamic public in Iraq. In particular, as the Iraqi leadership has pointed out, Iran has played a key role in combating and suppressing repression. At the same time, the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries are the basis for expanding diplomatic and economic relations between them. 
On the morning of Sunday, Rohani began an official visit to Iraq at the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart, Barham Salih, where he held separate meetings with both the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of Iraq, as well as the President of the House of Representatives in that country.

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TEHRAN: No country in the region is closer to Iran than Iraq

Political | 08:50 - 13/03/2019

 
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Baghdad - Mawazin News 
The head of the Security and National Assembly in the Iranian parliament, Hishmatullah Falah Bisha, that no country in the region closer to his country from Iraq, and that Tehran needs to establish common infrastructure between the two countries. 
"We expected President Ruhani to visit Iraq a long time ago; there is no country closer to Iran than Iraq, and we need to establish common infrastructure between the two countries," Bisha said. 
He explained that "according to statistics, the relationship of his country, especially in economic terms, with other countries did not rise as it rose with Iraq during the past year," stressing that "after the elimination of the organization" calling "from this country. Two countries ".
"There are some issues between Iran and Iraq that the two sides have managed through their strategic relationship to overcome them. The two countries have shown cooperation in fighting and there are no countries in the region that are close to their components, such as Iraq and Iran," he said. 
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, accompanied by a large political and economic delegation that arrived in Baghdad on Monday, March 11, will continue until Thursday, March 14, on an extended visit. 
President Rohani held talks with the Iraqi President and Prime Minister on regional cooperation between Iran and Iraq. During which they signed several economic agreements

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Ruhani arrives in Najaf to meet with Sistani

Political | 09:32 - 13/03/2019

 
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Najaf - Mawazine News 
The President of the Islamic Republic, Hassan Rowhani, arrived Tuesday to the holy city of Najaf to meet with the supreme religious authorities there, led by Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. 
"Iranian President Hassan Rowhani arrived this morning in the holy city of Najaf to visit the shrine of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and meet senior religious references in the province, led by Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani," the correspondent of Mawazin News said. 
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani accompanied by a large political and economic delegation arrived in Baghdad on Monday (11 March 2019) and will continue until Thursday, March 14, on an extended visit. 
President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi held talks with the Iranian president on regional cooperation between Iraq and Iran. During which they signed several economic agreements

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Najaf governor meets Iranian president

Political | 09:44 - 13/03/2019

 
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Baghdad - Moazin News 
Najaf's governor, Louay al-Yasiri, met Wednesday with Iranian President Hassan Rowhani in the province. 
A well-informed source told Mawazine News that "Governor Louay al-Yasiri received this morning the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rowhani in Najaf." 
The source added that "Yasiri accompanied him to his residence where he welcomed the Iranian President and the accompanying delegation." 
 He pointed out that "the two sides discussed the files of joint cooperation between the two countries and the depth of fraternal relations." 
Rohani arrived earlier this morning, to Najaf province to meet with the highest religious authority in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. 
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani accompanied by a large political and economic delegation arrived in Baghdad on Monday (11 March 2019) and will continue until Thursday, March 14, on an extended visit.
President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi held talks with the Iranian president on regional cooperation between Iraq and Iran. During which they signed several economic agreements

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  • yota691 changed the title to Reference Sistani meets Iranian President in Najaf

Reference Sistani meets Iranian President in Najaf

Political | 10:39 - 13/03/2019

 
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BAGHDAD - 
The highest religious authority in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, met on Wednesday with Iranian President Hassan Rowhani in the holy city of Najaf. 
An informed source told Mawazine News that "the highest religious authority in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, received today, Iranian President Hassan Rowhani in the holy city of Najaf." 
Rohani arrived in Najaf province earlier this morning and met Najaf Governor Louay al-Yasiri. 
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani accompanied by a large political and economic delegation arrived in Baghdad on Monday (11 March 2019) and will continue until Thursday, March 14, on an extended visit. 
President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi held talks with the Iranian president on regional cooperation between Iraq and Iran. During which they signed several economic agreements

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Nasr comments on statements attributed to Abadi on the recent agreements between Baghdad and Tehran

Political | 02:32 - 13/03/2019

 
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BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The 
Al-Nasr coalition denied on Wednesday a statement published by some media and social networking sites of its leader, Haider al-Abadi, on the latest agreements between Baghdad and Tehran, which were signed during a visit by Iranian President Hassan Rowhani to Baghdad. 
The leader of the coalition, Ali al-Sunaid in a press statement, received / Mawazine News / a copy, that "what was published in some media and social networking sites of a statement attributed to Abadi is incorrect and inaccurate and he did not make any statement in this regard." 
He added that "there are parties trying to disrupt public opinion through the broadcast of these false statements, especially after the meeting between Abadi and Rouhani in Baghdad," asserting that "the leader of the coalition of victory Haider Abadi emphasizes the strengthening of relations between Baghdad and Tehran for the common interests between the two countries." Ending 29 / a 43

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Hopefully the Iranian guy got a ear full...

Date of release: 2019/3/13 12:36  616 times read
The conclusion of a spiritual meeting with Imam al-Sistani without convening a press conference
(Najaf Ashraf: Euphrates News) The meeting of Iranian President, Hassan Rowhani, ended with the supreme religious authority Grand Ayatollah Ali Imam al-Sistani in Najaf.
The correspondent of the agency {Euphrates News} that "Rouhani did not hold a press conference after the meeting, and went to the hotel and then meet with other religious references in Najaf." 
So far, Ruhani's intention to hold a press conference at the end of his visit to the cleric has not been confirmed. 
Rohani had arrived this morning to Najaf and supervised the visit to the shrine of Imam Ali {p} and then met with Imam Sistani. Ended 
by .. Haider Asadi
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2019-03-13 BY SOTALIRAQ

 

 

US official: Iran wants Iraq to preserve it and fight the Iraqi identity to prove Shiite

 

 

US special envoy to Iran Brian Hawke called on Iraqis to reject President Hassan Rowhani's visit to their country, warning that Iran was ultimately aiming to make Iraq "one of its provinces." 
On Monday, Rohani began a three-day visit to Iraq and met with President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. 
"The Iraqis should question the motives of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani and his visit to Iraq because the Iranian government does not give priority to the situation of its people. How can improving the situation of the Iraqi people be a priority," Brian Hawke told Al-Hurra television on Tuesday. 
He added that "the Iranian regime seeks to increase its strength, not interested in the interest of the Iraqi people," noting that "the United States in favor of the sovereignty, security and prosperity, but the Iranian regime does not represent any of these interests," he said.
He warned that the Iranian regime "intends to fight Iraqi identity and to prove the Shiite identity in Iraq, while the majority of Iraqis cherish their national identity," pointing out that "the goal of promoting the system of Tehran's sectarian identity (Shiite) is to increase its influence in the Middle East, , Using Iraq as a means. 

https://www.sotaliraq.com/2019/03/13/مسؤول-أمريكي-إيران-تريد-العراق-محافظة/

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Rouhani’s Visit to Iraq: Huge Economic Cooperation at Eastern Gate of Arab World
March 13 2019
TEHRAN (FNA)- The agreements sealed during the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Iraq mark the start of the largest economic cooperation project between the two neighboring states in the region.

In the 1990s, when the US decided after Operation Desert Storm and annihilation of 70 percent of Iraq’s Army to re-instate Saddam Hussain rather than conquering Baghdad, there was only one thing revolving in the mind of Washington’s politicians: to prevent the Shiite revolutionary movement, which was gaining momentum after the Intifada (uprisings) in Southern Iraq and becoming an independent powerhouse, from getting strengthened.

Despite the fact that in 1991 the Iraqi army had lost control of all Shiite regions, the scale was tipped in favor of Saddam’s regime when the US-led coalition allowed the dictator to fly his Mil Mi-24 helicopters which led to the largest massacre of the Shiite population in Iraq.

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Interestingly, in 2014, when the ISIL terrorists conquered Mosul, one of the biggest cities in Iraq, a parallel course of event was to happen. While the terrorists were approaching the gates of Baghdad and the repetitive calls of the Iraqi government for winning the air support of the US-led coalition had failed, Iran’s strong entry into war to help its Western neighbor turned the whole tide. Now after 5 years, not only nothing has been left of the ISIL in Iraq, but also the position of Shiite-led central government in the Arab country has been cemented more than ever.

From The Fall of the Eastern Gate To The Resistance Front  

Iraq was the Eastern Gate of the Arab World, in the mindset of Saddam Hussain, to resist against Iran’s infiltration. Wafiq al-Samarrai, Director of Iran desk in Iraqi Army’s Intelligence Organization during the 8-year war of the Baathist regime against Iran has thoroughly evaluated and discussed this concept in his book of memoirs, 'The Ruins of the Eastern Gate'.

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Now after the falloff of the ISIL in a few-year-old war, Iraq has become part of an alliance which is called the Resistance Front. A front which is based on not religious motives as claimed in the West's Shiite Crescent theory, but on a pro-independence essence opposing the Westerners’ interference in the fate of Muslim countries.

Heading Toward $20Billion Trade

President Rouhani’s visit to Iraq is exactly highlighting the same strategic cooperation. Although the Tehran-Baghdad strong ties in security areas have fruited great successes in the past couple of years, it seems that the ties are expected to develop at a serious level to other areas.

Economy is one of the main areas which was placed under the spotlight by the officials of the two countries during the recent visit of President Rouhani to Iraq. Undoubtedly, Iran enjoys a unique status for develop economic cooperation with Iraq.

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The two countries share more than 1000 kilometers of borderline fittingly tied with identical ethnic patterns across the borders. For instance, Iran’s Kurdish provinces share borders with the Iraqi region of Kurdistan and accordingly can serve as an economic hub in the region because of the ethnic and lingual commonalities.

Also most of Iran’s Southwestern provinces which share border with Iraq are resided by Arab and Shiite Iranians which again positively contribute to cross-border interactions.

Besides, despite the fact that Iraq’s Western and Northern governorates like al-Anbar and Nineveh are home to bloody battles with the ISIL terrorists, security has been preserved so far in Eastern governorates which share border with Iran.

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All these realities as well as the nearly 2 million Iranians who travel to the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf in Arbaeen pilgrimage season have ushered in good trade between Iran and Iraq.

However, a study of economic figures shows that Iran’s share of Iraq’s market, particularly its growth in the past couple of years, still fails to match the two sides’ potentials.

This is exactly one of the very issues which drew much of the attention in the recent visit of President Rouhani to Iraq. Iranian and Iraqi officials held countless meetings and seminars before the Rouhani visit to discuss proper and wide avenues for expanding relations.

The truth is that Iran is competing with serious regional and international rivals in Iraq’s market. Turkey is one of the countries which are seriously marketing and expanding their share of the market in the food products section in Iraq.

Nevertheless it has to be born in mind that Turkey’s presence in Iraq’s market is nothing anew and an outcome of the last years. Rather, Turkey was one of the big suppliers of Iraq’s market during the reign of Saddam Hussain. Yet, the facts stated earlier display that Iran enjoys better capabilities for exporting goods to Iraq.

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China and the UAE are among the other competitors in Iraq’s market, specially in the field of consumer durable goods.

Considering the situation, Iranian and Iraqi merchants held numerous meetings on the ways to expand trade between the two countries during President Rouhani’s visit.

Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi had already said at an economic seminar in Baghdad that the two countries have set a $20 billion objective for the volume of their trade.

This figure may seem a bit out of reach at the first sight, but it is assuredly accessible considering that Iraq is now entering a phase of reconstruction after the war against terrorism and peace has been restored in its cities.

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The decision to issue visas for the nationals of the two countries free of charge was another important accomplishment of President Rouhani’s visit to Iraq which can act as a catalyst further facilitating cross-border travels for the nationals of the two sides.

US Worried About Sanctions-Busting

One of the motives behind President Rouhani’s visit to Iraq was the capacities of this Arab country in helping Iran to bypass the US’ unilateral sanctions.

Tehran is going to use Iraq’s help for finding a way around new sanctions to meet its financial needs, as it did in the last round of bans with the help of Turkey.

The fact is that thanks to broad suitcase trade between Iran and Iraq in areas of trade of commodities and foreign currencies exchange, the typical sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department are unable to cause a sensible disruption in the bilateral channels between the two sides.

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The reiterations of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning Iraqi officials about the suitcase trade of hard currency across the border of Iran and Iraq is reflecting the same very concern.

Iran is capable of importing many of its needed goods, which are not easily accessible because of financial and insurance limitations caused by sanctions, immediately through re-exporting them from Iraqi market. Accordingly, Iraq would be playing the same role once played by the UAE.

Many hold that oil rich port of Basra in Southern Iraq which is also the richest city of the country is enjoying the potential to become the second Dubai in the region. Iran can play the same role it played for flourishing Dubai in the 1980s.

The recent visit of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Abdolnasser Hemmati and the serious memorandum of understanding signed on banking relations between Tehran and Baghdad underlines the importance of Iraq’s banking system for Iran. Besides, Iraq has a broad network of currency relations with the world, through a system of exchange centers, particularly with East European countries, which is of high value for Iran.

One of the objectives of President Rouhani’s visit to Iraq which was not announced publicly was to expand these very kind of relations, and assuredly the officials of the two countries have discussed this issue in their meetings, and certainly the Americans are after stopping these relations at any level.

Iran and Iraq as Pillars of Future Energy Exchange Hub in Region

Expanding cooperation on energy was also among the issues discussed for broadening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the meetings of President Rouhani in Iraq.

This was the very same demand that made US President Donald Trump to agree with granting exemptions to Iraq to import energy from Iran during the first batch of sanctions against Tehran. However, some US-backed regional countries are after undermining Iran’s position in Iraq.

For example Saudi Arabia is after weakening Iran’s role in this area with exporting electricity to Iraq. The main point is that Rouhani’s visit to Iraq can mark a starting point for broader energy cooperation of the two countries in the region’s energy market.

Iraq has three gas fields and the country will start producing gas by the next five years. Although the early production of gas by Iraq may make the country needless of importing the energy carrier, the growing demand for electricity in the Arab country means Baghdad will continue importing energy from Iran.

In addition, Iraq is bordering Kuwait and Jordan which both are electricity thirsty and Iraq can act as an energy hub in the region to export Iran’s gas to the two countries besides meeting its own needs.

The same scenario is applicable to electricity to let Iraq play a stabilizing role in the region. The path may seem very long but Prescient Rouhani’s visit to Iraq marked a golden start for this long march.

Start of Huge Economic Cooperation in Region

Eleven years ago, when Iran's ex-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traveled to Iraq, the country was still under the US occupation.

And now in era of Rouhani, these are the Iraqi security forces who are providing security in Baghdad with the help of their Iranian partners.

Moving along the same line, we may rightfully expect inaguration of mega projects during the visit of the next Iranian president to Baghdad. This path, despite being long, is the future within the reach of the hands of the two nations.

 

 

Edited by 6ly410
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Middle East

Iraq’s top Shia cleric tells Iran’s Rouhani, 'ties must respect sovereignty'

An hour ago
 

Iraq’s top Shia cleric tells Iran’s Rouhani, 'ties must respect sovereignty'
A handout picture provided by the media office of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani shows the chief Shia cleric (left) meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (center) and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (right) in the central Iraqi city of Najaf on March 13, 2019. (Photo: Sistani's press office)
 
 

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi sovereignty must be respected and weapons kept in the hands of the government, a top Shia cleric in Iraq told Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, indirectly referring to the growing influence of Shia-dominated militias Tehran backs in the country.

Wednesday’s meeting was the first time Iraq’s 88-year-old Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani met with an Iranian president.

Sistani rarely interferes in Iraqi politics but continues to have considerable impact over the public opinion in the country.

Sistani welcomed “any steps to strengthen Iraq’s relations with its neighbors…based on respect for the sovereignty of the countries and no interference in domestic affairs,” a statement his office issued read.

“The most important challenges facing Iraq are fighting corruption, improving services, and keeping weapons in the hands of the state and its security services,” it added.

The meeting comes on the third day of Rouhani’s visit to Iraq. The Iranian leader came to Iraqi to show Iran’s political and economic dominance over the neighboring state and to develop commercial ties to minimize the implications of the renewed US sanctions over Tehran.

Iran and Iraq both have a Shia Muslim majority population. On Monday, the two governments signed several trade agreements, according to Iraqi officials, which include accords on oil, health, and transportation linking the Iraqi oil-rich city of Basra to an Iranian border town.

Sistani’s comment may concern the powerful Shia militias within the Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The militias continue to have significant military and political influence in Iraq after the defeat of the Islamic State.

Al-Fatih Coalition, led by the PMF’s senior leader, Hadi al-Amri, finished second in Iraq’s 2018 parliamentary election, winning 48 seats of Iraq’s 329-seat parliament.

The PMF was established after Sistani’s call to Iraqi volunteers to take up arms and fight against the Islamic State in late 2014. The militia group, which played an important role in defeating the extremist group, was formally integrated into the security forces last year.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

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11 minutes ago, 6ly410 said:

 in 2014, when the ISIL terrorists conquered Mosul, one of the biggest cities in Iraq, a parallel course of event was to happen. While the terrorists were approaching the gates of Baghdad and the repetitive calls of the Iraqi government for winning the air support system" rel="">support of the US-led coalition had failed, Iran’s strong entry into war to help its Western neighbor turned the whole tide. Now after 5 years, not only nothing has been left of the ISIL in Iraq, but also the position of Shiite-led central government in the Arab country has been cemented more than ever.

 

Enough of the propaganda tour iran you might be able to blow smoke up iraqs skirt but not the worlds .....

 

 

 

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Iranian regime wants Iraq to become a province of Iran, Hook says

 

U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, blasted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Iraq and accused his government of trying to control Iraq by fueling sectarian conflict in the country, a report by VOA said.

 

In an interview with Alhurrha TV, Hook said Rouhani's visit is not in the best interest of the Iraqi people, adding that Iran does not support the security and sovereignty of Iraq. 

"When President Rouhani comes into Iraq, you have to question the motive," Hook said Monday. "I think what Iran would ultimately like to see happen is Iraq turn into a province of Iran so that they can create a military highway across the northern Middle East that the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps can use to ferry missiles and weapons."

Hook said Iran is "the last revolutionary regime on earth," and it is trying to further destabilize the Middle East by reinforcing the sectarian divide. 

"The Iranian regime wants to replace a national identity. They want to dissolve it and replace it with a Shi'ite identity. This has been the core of their foreign policy to create sectarian divisions. They want to do that in Iraq, as well." 

The U.S. official's comments come as Rouhani arrived in Baghdad Monday and met with his counterpart, President Barham Salih, as a part of his three-day state visit to Iraq aimed at bolstering Tehran's influence and increasing commercial ties with Iraq.

 

According to Iraqi and Iranian officials, Rouhani and his delegation of 32 business people have signed several preliminary trade deals with Iraqi officials, including a major plan to build a railway linking the neighbors and easing visa restrictions.

"At a time when the United States is seeking to pressure the Iranian nation with its unjust sanctions, we need to develop and deepen our relations to stand against them," Rouhani said.

Rouhani claimed "world powers" were behind terrorism in the Middle East, adding that "Zionism and those who want to dominate the wealth of the countries of the region" were the root causes of instability. He said his country played a key role in helping Iraq defeat the Islamic State, but more work was needed to achieve regional stability.

"Today, Iran and Iraq are enjoying the closest relations with each other," he stressed.

The Iraqi government, which is now trying to eliminate ISIS insurgents after regaining control of all its territory under the group, says good relations with Iran is key for accomplishing full stability. 

While hosting Rouhani Monday, President Barham Salih thanked Iran for its support during Iraq's fight against ISIS and stressed the need for future cooperation.

"The victory that was achieved against ISIS inIraq was an important and huge victory, but incomplete, as the eradication of that sick, deviated line of thought and extremism requires more sustainable regional efforts and cooperation," Salih said.

 

Iran-Iraq relations

Some experts, according to VOA, see Rouhani's visit as an attempt by Iran and Iraq to take their relations to the next level as the fight againstISIS calms down in the region. 

Randa Slim, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, told VOA that Iranian officials hope the visit can accomplish three goals: strengthening and deepening Iran-Iraq relations; sending a strong signal to the U.S. and Iraq's neighbors about the scope and breadth of Iran's relations in Iran; and messaging Iranian audiences about the success of Iranian foreign policy in the Middle East.

"Iran's influence in Iraq has so far been mainly deployed through military means, either by offering direct assistance to Iraqi forces in their fight against ISIS, and mainly by training and assisting Iraqi militias. This visit might be the beginning of shifting this relationship to a state-to-state level, hopefully introducing some checks and balances on what has so far been unrestrained and unaccountable action by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard," Slim said.

Other experts, however, say deepening relations between Iran and Iraq face some challenges. Iraqi officials will ultimately find themselves between two countries with great influence but conflicting interests. 

Naysan Rafati, the Crisis Group's Iran analyst, told VOA that Iran could try to extend its influence in Iraq from the military to other areas such as culture, a move that might threaten U.S. interests in the region. 

"Iran is certainly playing the long game in Iraq, which is what you'd expect, given their history and the fact that they're neighbors," Rafati said. 

"But as the U.S. tries to check Iran's regional influence, Iraq could increasingly emerge as a theater for rivalry between Tehran and Washington," he added.

 

 

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/37219/Iranian-regime-wants-Iraq-to-become-a-province-of-Iran-Hook-says

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  • yota691 changed the title to On the Iraqi-Iranian agreement

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