President Masoud Pezeshkian has emphasized the strategic importance of connecting the rail transport networks of Iran and Iraq, describing the project as a vital pillar of bilateral cooperation that will strengthen economic, cultural, and regional integration.
The Iranian president made the remarks during a meeting with Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji and his accompanying delegation in Tehran on Tuesday.
President Pezeshkian underlined that accelerating the implementation of the cross-border railway project by the Iraqi government would not only enhance trade and economic relations between the two neighbouring countries but also facilitate broader regional connectivity and contribute to stronger economic linkages across the region.
Expressing satisfaction with the current level of Iran–Iraq relations, President Pezeshkian said the continued expansion of bilateral cooperation could advance security, economic, scientific, and cultural collaboration, benefiting not only the two nations but also the wider Islamic world.
He stressed the importance of regular diplomatic exchanges and official visits between Tehran and Baghdad, noting that such engagements would foster mutual understanding and create a shared perspective on bilateral, regional, and international matters.
Highlighting the need for unity among Islamic nations, President Pezeshkian said that such cohesion was essential to counter plots by the United States and the Israeli regime, which seek to destabilize the region.
The president identified the Iran–Iraq rail connection as one of the most important joint initiatives currently underway, noting that its completion, along with the creation of joint free trade zones, would contribute to regional security and economic growth.
He reiterated Iran’s commitment to viewing all people of Iraq, including those in the Kurdistan Region, as brothers regardless of ethnic or religious backgrounds, emphasizing that the strength and dignity of the Islamic community depend on solidarity and the rejection of divisions instigated by external adversaries.
For his part, Qasim al-Araji expressed appreciation for the meeting with the Iranian president, reaffirming that the security of Iran and Iraq is inseparable. He stressed that the borders between the two countries should remain among the safest in the region, in line with the bilateral security treaty.
Al-Araji described the railway connection as a strategic initiative that would bolster economic and political convergence between Tehran and Baghdad, adding that the Iraqi government fully supports the implementation of this project. He also pointed out that a historic opportunity now exists for fostering security cooperation among regional states, paving the way for deeper economic and political engagement.
Meanwhile, Rebar Ahmed Khalid Barzani, Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet President Pezeshkian and praised the positive outcomes of the Iranian president’s recent visit to the Kurdistan Region.
Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to supporting Iran’s security and stability, while emphasizing adherence to the security agreement between the two nations.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral coordination and regional cooperation, with the rail link project standing out as a symbol of shared vision, mutual respect, and regional unity between Iran and Iraq.