ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that Tehran and Baghdad share similar concerns regarding recent developments in Syria following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, stressing the need for cooperation, during a presser with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Tehran.

Sudani arrived in Tehran on Wednesday morning for a one-day visit, received by Pezeshkian.

“Both countries have common concerns regarding the current developments in Syria,” said Pezeshkian, noting that those concerns include “stability and peace in Syria, preserving Syria's territorial integrity, confronting the activities of terrorist groups,” among others.

Tehran and Baghdad also share concerns over the possibility of “the reactivation of terrorist cells” in Syria, according to the Iranian president.

Iran and Iraq were key supporters of the Assad regime. Baghdad initially expressed concerns that the new Islamist-led Syrian administration would pose a threat to Iraq’s security, but has recently moved toward establishing ties with the new government in Damascus.

“We consider the security and development of the Iraqi people to be part of our interests, and we will not neglect any assistance and cooperation in this direction,” Pezeshkian stressed.

Sudani, for his part, said “stability in Syria is key to stability in the region,” calling for “a comprehensive political solution” in the neighboring country. He reiterated that Iraq respects “the will of the Syrian people” and supports their decision to choose their political system.

The new rulers of Syria have repeatedly stressed that they would not pose a threat to Iraq and its security, even before they assumed power, expressing a desire to develop strategic ties with Baghdad.

Over two weeks after Assad’s ouster, an Iraqi delegation, headed by Intelligence Service chief Hamid al-Shatri, arrived in Damascus, meeting Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The Iraqi premier said that Baghdad is ready to “cooperate with all parties to enhance stability in Syria,” while calling for “respecting international law” and urging “a comprehensive regional dialogue that guarantees security and peace.”

Sudani’s visit to Tehran comes days after reports circulated regarding a secret trip by Iranian military commander Esmail Qaani to Baghdad, where he allegedly met with Iraqi officials and armed faction leaders, amid international pressure on the Iraqi government to disarm and dissolve armed groups not operating under the umbrella of Iraqi state forces.