President: Iran ready to share nuclear, technological expertise with Iraq
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has met with Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Fuad Hussein in Tehran. The two discussed bilateral cooperation and regional ties.
On the second day of the Tehran Dialogue Forum on Monday in Tehran, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s willingness to share its technological expertise with other Islamic and neighboring countries. This includes peaceful nuclear applications in medicine and agriculture.
The Iraqi minister noted the steady expansion of trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Regarding the indirect US-Iran negotiations, Pezeshkian said Iran will address nuclear concerns if America acts sincerely.
He reaffirmed that Iran does not need others’ permission for growth and progress.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has consistently pressured Iraq to minimize its economic and diplomatic ties with Iran.
On March 8, the US administration said it revoked a US sanctions waiver allowing the Iraqi government to import electricity from Iran.
Weeks later, Iraq was granted a short-term sanctions waiver by the US administration to meet its energy needs by importing Iranian electricity.
Iran is the leading supplier of natural gas to Iraq, accounting for as much as 45 percent of the country’s daily electricity consumption of 14,000 megawatts.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani’s advisor Hazem al-Khalidi led a delegation last month to Tehran, where discussions focused on enhancing cross-border commerce and infrastructure.
The talks included finalizing agreements on the Shalamcheh–Basra railway between the two countries and establishing joint free trade and industrial zones along their border.
Neighboring Iraq and Iran are advancing plans to boost bilateral trade to $25 billion annually.
