File photo: CGTN

BAGHDAD, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived on Sunday in Baghdad on an official visit to discuss bilateral ties and regional situation.

Zarif arrived at Baghdad airport in the morning and was received by his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein and the two held a joint press conference in the Foreign Ministry building at the edge of the Green Zone in central Baghdad.

"We have discussed the bilateral relations and trade exchange which has recently decreased due to health measures and the closure of border crossings, and we have emphasized finding ways to continue commercial relations as well as religious visits despite our confrontation of the coronavirus pandemic," Hussein told reporters.

As for the regional situation, we confirmed that "powerful Iraq means strength for the region and we want balanced relations with all neighboring countries based on the Iraqi interest and common interests and not to interfere in internal affairs," he said.

"The entire region, including Iraq, must be removed from international tensions to protect the sovereignty of (the regional countries)," Hussein said.

For his part, Zarif said "the Iranian-Iraqi relations will not be shaken, and for us, a strong Iraq has the right to have constructive relations with all neighboring countries, and this represents stability for the region. We welcome the active role of Iraq in the region and the Gulf."

Zarif also said that there must be "fully aware of the security threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) group."

As for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, in January near Baghdad airport, Zarif said "unfortunately, the assassination of Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was a terrorist operation made by America, which is a great loss for the confrontation against IS militants."

During his one-day visit, Zarif is scheduled to meet with Iraqi top officials, before heading to the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan to hold talks with the Kurdish leaders.