MIDEAST-CRISIS/IRAQ ZARIF Iran's Zarif visits Iraq as part of post nuclear deal regional trip

Record ID: 146210

  • Title: MIDEAST-CRISIS/IRAQ ZARIF Iran's Zarif visits Iraq as part of post nuclear deal regional trip
  • Date: 27th July 2015
  • Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JULY 27, 2015) (REUTERS) AEROPLANE TAXIING ON RUNWAY PREPARING TO STOP WORDS PRINTED ON PLANE (English): "ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN" IRAQI OFFICIALS WALKING TOWARDS PLANE IRAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF GETTING OFF PLANE AND SHAKING HANDS WITH IRAQI OFFICIAL ZARIF GREETING IRAQI OFFICIALS ZARIF WALKING WITH IRAQI OFFICIAL AWAY FROM PLANE ZA
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAB0SSF04JLHBWNM5JPY7YQ8P3M
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Iran's Foreign Minister arrived in Baghdad on Monday (July 27) on the final leg of his first regional trip since Tehran reached an agreement with world powers on the country's nuclear programme - an agreement that raised fears among its Gulf Arab neighbours.
    Before travelling to Iraq, Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Kuwait and Qatar where he called for a united front among Middle Eastern nations to fight militancy.
    Most Gulf Arab states are worried that Iran's July 14 accord will hasten detente between Tehran and Washington, emboldening Tehran to increase backing for Middle Eastern allies at odds with Gulf Arab countries.
    Many Sunni Muslim-ruled Gulf Arab states have long accused Tehran of interference in Arab affairs, alleging financial or armed support for political movements in countries including Bahrain, Yemen and Lebanon.
    Predominantly Shi'ite Iran denies interference but says the nuclear agreement will not change its policies in the region.
    Before meeting with officials in Baghdad, Zarif met with top Shi'ite cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani in the southern city of Najaf.
    At a news conference in the city, Zarif told journalists that his trip was intended to build confidence with Iran's neighbours.
    "This is my first visit to the Persian Gulf to develop relations and open continuous discussions between the Islamic Republic of Iran and neighbouring countries to achieve the interests of all countries of this region and the Islamic World and also to achieve international peace and security and I have had good discussions and negotiations in some countries, and I hope, God willing, for the same in this critical region. We will meet the other religious authorities here in this holy city to discuss some issues,'' he said.
    Before his Gulf visit, Zarif said in a statement posted on his ministry's website late on Friday (July 24) that Tehran would continue supporting its allies in Syria and Iraq to fight against militant group Islamic State.
    Bahrain said on Saturday (July 25) it had foiled an arms smuggling plot by two Bahrainis with ties to Iran and announced the recall of the Gulf island kingdom's ambassador to Tehran for consultations after what it said were repeated hostile Iranian statements.
    Iran's foreign ministry called the allegation "baseless and repetitive," saying Bahrain was only trying to "create tension in the region", according to state news agency, IRNA.
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