IKIA operates 979 flights during Arbaeen season

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini International Airport has operated 979 flights between Iran and Iraq since the beginning of the Arbaeen season on October 9.

Exhibitions of handicrafts, souvenirs set up for Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN – Several sales exhibitions, featuring local handicrafts and souvenirs, have been set up across Ilam province, where thousands of Arbaeen pilgrims are on their way to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq.

IKIA transports 49,000 Arbaeen pilgrims in 4 days

TEHRAN – Imam Khomeini International Airport has transported some 49,000 passengers from Tehran to Iraqi cities of Najaf and Baghdad to participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage in a span of four days.

Iran temporarily lifts visa requirement for Iraqi nationals

TEHRAN – Iran’s embassy in Baghdad has announced that Iraqi nationals can visit Iran without a visa from October 24 to December 27, 2019.

Baghdad will consider backing ‘Hormuz Peace Endeavor’: Iraqi diplomat

TEHRAN - An Iraqi diplomat has told ILNA that despite U.S. pressure Baghdad will support Iran’s initiative for security in the Persian Gulf called the “Hormuz Peace Endeavor”.

Iraqi arrivals in Iran gaining momentum

TEHRAN - The number of Iraqi nationals visiting Iran is gaining momentum this year as the Islamic Republic endeavors to boost its tourism revenues in the face of U.S.-led sanctions. 

UNESCO lists Iraq’s Babylon as World Heritage site

TEHRAN - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added the sprawling Mesopotamian city of Babylon to its World Heritage list, boosting Iraq’s hopes of reviving its battered tourism industry.

Iran, Iraq ink MOU to expand tourism ties  

TEHRAN – Iran and Iraq have recently agreed in principle to further develop ties in the arenas of tourism, pilgrimage, cultural heritage and handicrafts, CHTN reported. 

Six thousand Iraqis apply for Iran visa every day

TEHRAN – Some six thousand Iraqi nationals apply for the Iranian visa per day, according to Iran’s consulate in the city of Basra.

Tehran Municipality negotiating to restore Taq Kasra in Iraq

TEHRAN – Tehran Municipality is in talks with Baghdad’s urban planners and authorities to restore a number of aging monuments in Iraq including Taq Kasra, which is an architecturally-important Sasanian-era Persian monument.

Iran, Iraq agree to scrap visa fees

TEHRAN – Tehran and Baghdad have agreed that their nationals will not have to pay visa fees for crossing borders.

Iran, Iraq likely to relax visa rules to boost investment, tourism

TEHRAN – Iran and Iraq are working out an agreement to ease some visa rules in an effort to boost investment and tourism, IRNA reported.

Advisor: Tehran, Baghdad to develop closer ties

TEHRAN – In a meeting in on Saturday, Iranian and Iraqi officials underlined the necessity for closer relationship, IRNA reported.

Iraq-Iran relationship a model for the world: ambassador

TEHRAN – The Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad, Iraj Masjedi, has described the strong relationship between Iran and Iraq as a “successful model” of cooperation between two neighboring countries on the world stage.

Envoy: Iran has no presence in Iraq

TEHRAN – Tehran's Ambassador to Baghdad, Iraj Masjedi, said on Tuesday that Iran has no military presence, bases, or even advisory presence in Iraq.

Baghdad hosts quadripartite meeting on intelligence sharing

TEHRAN – The annual quadripartite meeting among Iran, Russia, Iraq and Syria was held in Baghdad on Sunday with the aim of intelligence exchange. It came on the anniversary of defeating Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group in Iraq.

Tehran, Baghdad show strong commitment to win-win relations: Zarif

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has expressed optimism at a recent visit by Iraqi President Barham Salih to Tehran, saying Tehran and Baghdad are seeking a “win-win” relationship.

 Tehran-Sulaymaniyah direct flights to resume

TEHRAN - Iran will soon resume direct flights from Tehran to Sulaymaniyah, a city in Iraq’s Kurdistan, after almost eight months halt.

Iranian VP in Baghdad

TEHRAN – First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday to talk with senior officials and visit holy shrines in the country during a 3-day trip.

Permanent expo of Iranian products to be inaugurated in Baghdad soon

TEHRAN- Iran is to inaugurate the permanent exhibition of its products in Iraqi capital in near future, Iranian ambassador to Iraq announced on the sidelines of opening an exclusive exhibition of Iranian products in Baghdad.

Iran denounces twin bomb attacks in Baghdad

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Monday strongly condemned twin bomb attacks in central Baghdad that left tens of people dead and injured, highlighting the Islamic Republic’s support for Iraq in the battle against terrorism.

Iraqi capital to host Iran’s exclusive expo in mid-Feb.

TEHRAN- Iran will hold its exclusive trade and industrial exhibition from February 12 to 15 in Baghdad, Iran’s commercial attaché to Iraq announced, IRNA reported on Friday.

Hashd al-Sha’abi essential for Iraq security: ambassador

TEHRAN – Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad has defended the role of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), better known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, in fighting terrorism in Iraq, saying the force is a “necessity” for the country’s security.

Tehran, Baghdad to ink deal on joint oilfields’ development soon: Luaibi

TEHRAN - Iraq will soon sign a deal with Iran to jointly invest in two oil fields, Bloomberg quoted Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi as saying on Sunday at a news conference in Baghdad.

by Amberin Zaman

Turkey fumes as Sinjar Yazidis declare 'democratic autonomy'

As Massoud Barzani, the president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, continues to resist mounting international calls to scrap a referendum on Kurdish independence planned for September, a rival Kurdish faction has added its voice, declaring what it calls “democratic autonomy” in the predominantly Yazidi region of Sinjar.

Iran welcomes Baghdad-Erbil talks

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday welcomed talks between the Iraqi central government and the Iraqi Kurdistan as a push for independence referendum in the Kurdistan region has caused concerns in Iraq and neighboring countries.

Iraq's Turkmen areas become battlefield in Kurdish referendum debate

The Iraqi Turkmen Front, the largest political party representing the minority Turkmen ethnic group, has reiterated its objection to the Kurdistan referendum scheduled for Sept. 25.

Baghdad, Damascus would have fallen without Tehran: military advisor 

TEHRAN – A military advisor to the Supreme Leader said on Saturday that if it were not for the help of Tehran, the governments in Baghdad and Damascus would have fallen.