Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, emphasized the importance of fully implementing bilateral agreements between Tehran and Baghdad during a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to Iraq, Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadeq, in Tehran on Wednesday.

According to Iranian state media reports, the discussions centered on the progress of cooperation and bilateral relations between the two neighboring nations. Amir-Abdollahian stressed the necessity of adhering to the agreements and documents previously signed by high-ranking officials of both countries to bolster bilateral cooperation.

Since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iran and Iraq have maintained a strong relationship, with Tehran significantly increasing its influence over Baghdad. This influence is exemplified by the presence of numerous armed groups in Iraq affiliated with the Shiite rule in Tehran.

A security pact inked between Iran and Iraq in March 2023 aimed to address security concerns, with Baghdad committing to disarming Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups and securing border regions. Iran had previously issued warnings of potential military action if Baghdad failed to uphold its end of the agreement.

Despite some progress, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani noted in October that Iraq had yet to fully implement all provisions of the security pact. However, Kanaani emphasized the commitment of both Erbil and Baghdad to implementing the agreement.

In addition to security concerns, Iran and Iraq share a robust economic relationship. Iraq's electrical grid has long relied on gas imports from Iran, and a recent agreement signed in July stipulates that Baghdad will pay for imported gas from Tehran using its crude oil reserves.

As tensions persist in the region and economic ties deepen, the full implementation of agreements remains crucial for fostering stability and cooperation between Iran and Iraq.