WANA (Jan 19) – In a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted the deep emotional and heartfelt bonds between the Iranian and Iraqi peoples as the foundation of their long-standing relations. He affirmed that these strong and historical ties have remained stable over the years and will continue to endure.

 

Pezeshkian noted that the cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including the recent meeting of governors from Iran’s border provinces and Iraq, is a positive and constructive initiative aimed at fostering greater convergence and synergy to promote the growth and development of both nations.

 

He emphasized that joint projects between Iran and Iraq are being pursued with determination, and since the beginning of his presidency, his administration has been focused on strengthening and expanding interactions with Iraq and other countries in the region across economic, political, scientific, and cultural sectors.

 

The Iranian president also addressed the destabilizing role of the United States and the Israeli regime in the region, which aims to create divisions among Islamic countries.

 

He stressed that despite the extensive political, economic, and media pressure exerted by these powers to disrupt security and peace in Iran and other regional countries, Iran’s approach has been to preserve unity and integrity within the country and to strengthen relationships with Islamic and neighboring countries by dismantling walls of distrust and division.

 

In further remarks, Pezeshkian described recent tragic events in Iran as part of a joint project between the U.S. and Israel, exploiting difficult conditions to target the Iranian people.

 

He added that, as Israel commits crimes without restraint, its proxies have escalated violence and criminal acts in recent events. He also criticized U.S. President’s actions in supporting the instigators of chaos, revealing the true nature of this plot and conspiracy.

 

The president concluded by stating that if the Muslim world stands together, no power can threaten them, and with God’s grace, they will continue their dignified path united.

 

In response, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed his pleasure at meeting with Pezeshkian and conveyed warm greetings from the President and Prime Minister of Iraq to the Iranian government and people.

 

He noted that Iraqi officials had been closely monitoring recent events in Iran and that the security situation surrounding the Islamic Republic of Iran had been the central topic of all communications with other countries.

 

“We consider the security of Iran to be our own security, as well as the security of the entire region,” Hussein remarked, adding that any threat to Iran’s security is unacceptable.

 

He further praised the deep, historical, and people-centred relations between the two nations, noting that despite the many changes throughout history, the bonds between Iran and Iraq have remained steadfast.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein meeting with the Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on January 18, 2026. President.ir/ WANA News Agency

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein meeting with the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, on January 18, 2026. President.ir/ WANA News Agency