Khamenei pushes for US withdrawal from Iraq in meeting with Sudani

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called for regional dialogue and greater economic cooperation with Iran during a visit to Tehran on Wednesday, as Iran seeks to shore up its close ties with Iraq following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria and Hezbollah's heavy losses against Israel.

In his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sudani “reiterated his call for a regional dialogue to build trust and ensure security and peace for all.” The two discussed bilateral relations as well as regional developments, including “the situation in Syria and the necessity of joint work to establish security and stability there and preserve its territorial integrity,” according to statements from Sudani’s office.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December in a rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Sudani added that Iraq plans to host a conference in Baghdad to promote regional dialogue, though he did not provide further details. Iraq has played a mediator role in the Middle East and in 2019 began mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The two countries ultimately resumed relations in 2023 in a deal brokered by China.