Iran security chief meets officials in Iraq before Lebanon visit
Tehran has suffered a series of blows in its long-running rivalry with Israel, including during 12 days of open war between the two countries in June.
Israel, briefly joined by the United States, struck Iranian nuclear facilities, while Israel has also devastated Hamas and Hezbollah since late 2023 – both part of Tehran's anti-Israel 'axis of resistance'.
Iranian state television said Larijani, the head of the National Security Council, had departed on a three-day trip, his first since being appointed.
The visit to Baghdad comes amid deep divisions in Iraq over a proposed law that would further formalise the role and, possibly, the autonomy of a powerful coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries.
Iranian state television said Larijani signed a 'joint security memorandum of understanding' with Iraq's National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji.
A statement from Araji's office said the two officials discussed the implementation of the bilateral agreement, as well as the Israel-Gaza war.
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