WANA (May 14) – Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, met today with Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji in Baghdad to discuss bilateral relations, joint security efforts, and regional de-escalation strategies.

 

According to a statement released by al-Araji’s office, the two sides reviewed the development of Iraq-Iran relations, ongoing cooperation to secure their shared border, and the implementation progress of the 2023 bilateral security agreement.

 

The Iraqi official emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue between Tehran and Washington, noting that the path to lasting regional stability depends on reduced tensions and diplomatic engagement from all parties involved.

 

The security agreement signed between Iran and Iraq in March 2023 is aimed at bolstering border security and countering cross-border threats.

 

Key provisions include the disarmament of separatist terrorist groups operating near the Iran-Iraq border, relocating their members to camps away from the frontier, deploying Iraqi federal forces to sensitive border areas, and enhancing intelligence-sharing and operational coordination between the two nations.

 

The first round of these indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S., mediated by Oman, was held on April 12 in Muscat, and the second round of talks took place in Rome on Saturday, April 19, again with Oman as the intermediary.

 

The third round of talks, which took place on Saturday, April 26, was also in Oman. Iran and the United States concluded their fourth round of indirect negotiations in Muscat on Sunday, May 11.