Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani arrived in Baghdad on Thursday for talks with Iraqi officials on bilateral relations and regional issues.

Ali Bagheri Kani was welcomed by Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Hossein Bahrul Uloom and later met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. 

In a joint press conference held today after the meeting, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani discussed various regional and bilateral issues, emphasizing the strong ties between the two countries.

Minister Hussein expressed his satisfaction with the day's discussions, highlighting the productive dialogue with his Iranian counterpart, "we are pleased with today's talks with the Iranian Foreign Minister," he said. 

The discussions touched upon several critical issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the need for a ceasefire, Hussein also warned of the broader implications of the conflict, noting, "We talked about the potential expansion of the war to Lebanon, which will impact the entire region."

Bagheri Kani spoke about the recent loss of two significant figures in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the President and the Foreign Minister. 

"We were shocked by the passing of these two great personalities in the Islamic Republic," he said.

Bagheri Kani underscored the depth of the discussions, stating, "We discussed the bilateral relations during the meeting."

The Acting Foreign Minister extended gratitude to Iraq's government and people for their solidarity and support during the difficult times Iran faced. 

He praised the shared history and culture between the two nations, saying, "The Iraqi and Iranian peoples have a shared civilization and history."

The Iranian Acting Foreign Minister reiterated Iran's vision for expanding relations with Iraq. He emphasized the common grounds between the two countries, noting, "We confirmed the existence of significant commonalities between Iraq and Iran." 

Bagheri Kani also condemned the situation in Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to the violence. "The genocide in Gaza must stop unconditionally," he declared.
Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani will meet officials from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq later in the day and on Friday.