Iraq
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani during a joint press conference after their meeting in Baghdad on September 11, 2024. File photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated the Iraqi government and people on the "successful" completion of parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s office said in a statement on Friday.
In a phone call with Sudani, Iran’s Pezeshkian said the election results demonstrated "the genuine will of the Iraqi people."
"President Pezeshkian also congratulated Prime Minister al-Sudani and his political coalition, Reconstruction and Development [Coalition], on securing first place in the national elections results," the statement added, noting that he wished the Iraqi people "continued progress in their democratic and the achievement of comprehensive development."
Iraq’s electoral body on Wednesday announced preliminary results of the country’s legislative vote which showed sitting premier Sudani’s coalition secure the top position with over 1.3 million votes, equivalent to 45 seats, according to Rudaw’s calculations.
Iraq and Iran have a complex relationship shaped by history, religion, and politics. Once at war, they are now closely linked through Shiite parties, armed groups, and trade, though Baghdad still seeks to maintain balanced ties between arch-foes Tehran and Washington.
"The call included a review of overall bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to further strengthen them in a manner that supports regional stability and serves the interests of both the Iraqi and Iranian peoples," according to the statement from Sudani’s office.
On Monday, Iran rejected what it called foreign interference in Iraq’s parliamentary elections, emphasizing that the vote was an internal matter and that Tehran’s ties with Baghdad would remain strong regardless of the outcome.
“Any foreign interference in Iraq's elections is condemned and rejected,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said. He added that “the [United States of] America’s interventions are certainly harmful.”
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