Iraq, Iran to boost cooperation in oil, energy sectors

Baghdad, Jan 11 (IANS) Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi met with visiting Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zanganeh over further cooperation in the sectors of oil and energy.

According to a statement by Iraqi Prime Minister’s office, Mahdi on Thursday hailed the relations between the two neighbouring countries to serve the interests of both peoples, Xinhua reported.

Zanganeh also voiced the need to further develop the bilateral relations, saying he hoped more cooperation could be achieved.

Zanganeh and his delegation arrived in Iraq’s capital Baghdad on Thursday morning, a day after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Iraq.

Washington withdrew from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal last May and imposed a new round of sanctions against Iran on Aug 7, 2018.

On Nov 5, the United States announced the second package of anti-Iran sanctions covering the sectors of oil, energy and banking.