Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on May 14 that economic cooperation between Iran and Iraq has officially entered a practical implementation phase. The announcement came after the two sides completed a series of high-level consultations on energy, trade, and infrastructure investment.
Speaking at a meeting with Iraqi officials in Baghdad, Ghalibaf emphasized that the two countries have agreed on a specific roadmap to realize previously signed agreements, prioritizing the advancement of power grid interconnections and cross-border railway lines. He noted that the operational phase will include the formation of joint technical committees to oversee project progress and remove administrative obstacles.
An Iraqi representative said Iraq seeks to increase imports of electricity and gas from Iran to meet domestic demand, while creating conditions for businesses from both sides to expand cooperation. The talks also addressed facilitating the flow of goods through shared border crossings, aiming to raise bilateral trade volume to $20 billion in the medium term.
Analysts assess that this move reflects Tehran's efforts to strengthen economic ties with Baghdad amid increasing regional geopolitical competition. However, implementation still depends on technical factors and the security situation in certain border areas.
