Baghdad, Iraq - September 11, 2024

Iraq-Iran cooperation will take the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Iraq as an opportunity to enter a new stage, said political analysts in Iraq.

Pezeshkian arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday for his first official foreign visit since taking office in July.

During his visit, Pezeshkian met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, who expressed Iraq's intent to enhance bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism, border security, and efforts to ease regional tensions, according to a statement from the Iraqi Presidency.

Pezeshkian responded by affirming Iran's readiness to strengthen bilateral ties and improve coordination on mutual interests, the statement said.

The U.S. military presence has long been posing a challenge to the Middle East, particularly to Iraq and Iran.

Iraqi experts said the two countries are trying to cope with the external intervention through new cooperation route.

Shotlist:
Baghdad, Iraq - Sept 11, 2024:
FILE: Baghdad, Iraq - Feb 3, 2024
1. National flag of Iraq;
2. Various of traffic;
Baghdad, Iraq - Sept 11, 2024
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kazem Jaber, Iraqi political scholar (ending with shot 4):
"Pezeshkian came to Iraq today to identify and discuss important issues, and one of the issues is energy. In addition, another important issue is to support the cause of the Palestinian people.";
FILE: Baghdad, Iraq - Oct 25, 2023
4. Various of buildings, river, bridge;
Baghdad, Iraq - Sept 11, 2024
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Salah Boushi, Iraqi political analyst:
"I think Iran's strategic starting point is Iraq, and this visit marks the beginning of a new phase of Iran's diplomacy. Bilateral cooperation and communication on political affairs between Iraq and Iran aim to achieve common interests.";
FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 10, 2023
6. Various of Iranian national flag, cityscape, traffic;
Baghdad, Iraq - Sept 11, 2024
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kazem Jaber, Iraqi political scholar (partially overlaid with shots 8-9):
"It is well known that the United States has been creating conflicts and contradictions by plundering and exploiting other countries' resources and has never withdrawn in a peaceful manner. I think the visit of Pezeshkian to Iraq today will clarify the course of how the two countries can work together to get rid of the hegemony of the United States.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown
8. White House;
FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown
9. Capitol Hill
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 2, 2024
10. National flags of Iran, traffic;
FILE: Tehran, Iran - April 10, 2023
11. Iranian national flags, cityscape, traffic;
Baghdad, Iraq - Sept 11, 2024
12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Salah Boushi, Iraqi political analyst (ending with shot 13):
"Iran sees the U.S. military presence as a threat to Iraq and the Arab world as well as to Iran itself. The need to sustain the "axis of resistance" represented by Iran is clear. Iran is trying to strengthen ties to achieve regional stability and ensure Iran's national security.";
FILE: Baghdad, Iraq - Dec 8, 2023
13. Various of Liberation Square, traffic, pedestrians;
FILE: Baghdad, Iraq - March 16, 2024
14. Various of statue; traffic.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]