TEHRAN (Tasnim) � A senior Iraqi political figure described Iran as a regional and international power, saying in the absence of this key player no plan in the region would come to fruition.
�The Islamic Republic of Iran has now turned into a mighty regional and international country, and we always insist that no plan will be accomplished in the region, unless Iran is taken into account as the principal actor,� Adel Abdul-Mahdi, a member of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), said on Monday.

Abdul-Mahdi, also a former vice president of Iraq, made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif here in Tehran.

The top Iranian diplomat , for his part, expressed Iran's readiness to expand bilateral cooperation with Iraq in political, economic, trade and energy fields -- with the active participation of the private sector -- �to serve the interests of the two nations and to help consolidate security, stability and welfare in the region.

Iran and Iraq, the two neighboring countries in the Middle East, share common concerns and enjoy amicable relations in many spheres.

On September 8, Zarif paid a visit to Iraq on his first foreign trip after taking office in August.

�I made my first (foreign) visit to Baghdad because Iran attaches significance to relations with its neighbors, particularly Iraq,� Zarif told reporters as he arrived in Baghdad at the time.

By Tasnim News Agency

 

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