Concerning Al-Kadhimi's visit and Arbaeen, new statement from Iran

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Khatib zadeh confirmed today Monday, that Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi's visit comes within the framework of the close relations between Iraq and Iran.

Khatib zadeh said in his weekly press conference, which was followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister is the first visit of a senior foreign official to Iran after Ibrahim Raisi assumed his office," noting that "this visit comes within the framework of close relations between Tehran and Baghdad."

He added that "the two parties agreed to increase the number of Iranian pilgrims who will participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), pointing out that" the number will be more than 60,000 pilgrims."

On the other part, , the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that targeting the headquarters of terrorist groups in the Kurdistan region of Iraq comes as in response to the repeated attacks by these groups on the Iranian border areas, which led to the martyrdom of a number of Iranian border guards."

He stressed that Iran "discussed this matter repeatedly with Iraqi officials," noting that "it welcomes those who abandon the terrorist groups and return to the country."