Iraqi president meets Iranian counterpart on sidelines of UN General Assembly

NEWSROOM — Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.

In a statement from his media office, Rashid underscored the “importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries,” citing what he described as “the historical, social, and geographical ties that bind the two friendly peoples.”

Addressing regional unrest, Rashid called for “serious and effective international efforts to stop wars and conflicts,” specifically referring to what he described as “the unjust aggression on the Gaza Strip.”

Pezeshkian expressed Iran’s commitment to deepening relations with Iraq and voiced support for Rashid’s appeal to end regional conflicts and promote stability.

Speaking earlier at the General Assembly, Rashid told world leaders that Iraq had “regained its natural position in the international community” and was working to consolidate internal stability. He also reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a de-escalation of regional tensions.

Statement from President Rashid’s media office:

President of the Republic Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid met Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, in addition to general developments in the region.

President Rashid stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries, pointing to the historical, social, and geographical ties that bind the two friendly peoples.

Regarding the situation in the region, President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid pointed to the necessity of serious and effective international efforts to stop wars and conflicts, especially the unjust aggression on the Gaza Strip, and to accelerate the rescue of the Palestinian people who are facing a major humanitarian tragedy affecting women and children, as well as to stop repeated attacks on countries in the region that contribute to destabilizing regional stability.

For his part, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed his country’s commitment to building close cooperative relations with Iraq in various fields, confirming his support for President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid’s positions on the need to end wars and conflicts in the region and to establish the foundations of regional stability.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Fuad Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Mr. Qubad Talabani, Minister of Health Dr. Saleh Al-Hasnawi, Head of the Presidency’s Advisory and Expert Body Dr. Ali Al-Shukri, Iraq’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Lukman Faily, in addition to a number of Iraqi and Iranian officials.