SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Senior Iraqi and Kurdish officials on Saturday congratulated Ebrahim Raisi on winning Iran’s presidential elections.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi spoke by phone with Raisi, who was elected as new Iranian president with a tally of 17.9 million votes out of 28.9 million.
Kadhimi offered congratulations to Raisi on his victory in the Iranian presidential elections, stressing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, his office said in a statement.
He also expressed readiness for more joint cooperation in various fields, especially economy and security, and in the fight against terrorism which would enhance security and stability of the two countries and the region, his office added.
Appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to the high-profile job of judiciary chief in 2019, Raisi was placed under U.S. sanctions a few months later over human rights violations.
Raisi, who takes office in early August, said he will be a president for all Iranians – whether they voted for him or for the other candidates, or did not vote at all.
Iraqi President Barham Salih also sent a congratulatory message to Raisi, expressing his aspiration for joint action to enhance security and stability in the region.
“The region is in dire need for wisdom and wise men, giving priority to dialogue and seriously considering the interrelated interests of our peoples to enhance them by establishing security, stability, peace, and respect for sovereignty,” Salih said, recalling Iran’s stand with Iraqis in fighting against terrorism and extremism.
Kurdistan Region President also offered congratulations and wishes to the new president success, expressing hope that bilateral relations develop further on the basis of mutual interests and neighborly relations.
He also “hopes that Erbil and Baghdad’s cooperation with Tehran is further strengthened to secure peace and stability for both sides and for the greater region,” Barzani’s office said in a statement.
Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said in a tweet that his government “looks forward to working with him to strengthen our long-standing relations based on mutual interest and respect, and advance regional peace and stability”.
