The Iranian
official is now in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders about expanding energy
relations.
He met
separately with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi,
Iraq’s Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban, and Finance Minister Fuad Hussein.
In the
meetings, the officials discussed development of relations between the two neighbors
“in a way that positively reflected on the consolidation of political and
economic stability in the region in general,” and specifically boosting
cooperation in oil and energy.
Zangeneh’s
visit came just one day after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to
Baghdad on Wednesday as part of a Middle East tour to drum up regional
opposition to Iran.
In a joint
press conference by the two oil ministers on Thursday, Zangeneh said Iran was
ready to increase its natural gas exports to Iraq.
Baghdad
needs the gas to fuel its domestic electricity production.
Iran is
exporting 15 million cubic meters of natural gas to Iraq daily, but could
increase that to 40 million.
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