Iraq's Sudani visits Tehran, pushes expanded cooperation after Washington talks

WASHINGTON, United States — TEHRAN — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani traveled to Tehran on Thursday following his Washington visit, holding a day of talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior officials. Sudani said the security of Iraq and Iran was "common" and that Iraqi territory would not be used for any threat against Iran, while calling for expanded bilateral investment. The visit produced several agreements covering international freight transport, the Kermanshah–Hasrovi–Khanaqin–Baghdad railway link, sister-city protocols and public administration cooperation. A joint statement outlined plans for a comprehensive strategic document spanning political, economic, cultural and security cooperation, along with deeper collaboration in energy, transportation, transit, industry and agriculture and accelerated rail projects. According to international relations experts cited in the report, U.S. President Donald Trump has assigned Sudani a significant role, viewing Baghdad as positioned to mediate between Washington and Tehran. Talks also addressed the security of the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear agreements, ballistic missiles and the transfer of armed groups' weapons to the state. The Iraqi delegation signed additional understandings on cooperation against drought, dust storms, water resource management, counterterrorism and organized crime. No further details on the implementation timeline were immediately available.