Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raeesi on Sunday in Iran, becoming the first foreign leader to meet the hardline president since Raeesi took office in August. Iraq is attempting to mediate between Tehran and its Gulf rivals, including Saudi Arabia, hoping to prevent its neighbors from settling scores on its territory. Iraq has become a battleground for tensions between Iran on one side and the United States, Israel, and Arab Gulf states on the other, through attacks on American forces and the assassination of Iranian and Iraqi military leaders.
During a joint press conference with al-Kadhimi in Tehran, Raeesi stated, "Contrary to the desires of the enemies, relations between Iran and Iraq will witness growth in all areas." He added that Iraq agreed to lift visa requirements for Iranians who will visit Iraq later this month to participate in the Arbaeen ceremonies for Imam Hussein. He said, "Decisions have also been made regarding the financial matters of the two countries and they must be implemented."
Iraq relies on Iranian gas and electricity, but its imports have been irregular recently due to delayed payments. The Iranian state gas company stated late last year that it reduced supplies to Iraq due to overdue payments exceeding six billion dollars, which exposed Baghdad and other cities to electricity shortages. The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity announced last month that Iranian gas supplies to the central region decreased from three million to two million cubic meters per day, while supplies to the southern region dropped from 17 million to five million cubic meters per day.
