Iranian FM arrives in Baghdad to meet with Iraq officials
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this photo released by the National Assembly, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, left, meets Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, May 24, 2019. Zarif is in Pakistan Friday on a critically timed visit amid a crisis between Tehran and Washington and ahead of next week's emergency Arab League meeting called by Saudi Arabia as regional tensions escalate. (Pakistan National Assembly via AP)
Iranian media are reporting that the country's foreign minister has arrived in Baghdad to meet his Iraqi counterpart and other officials.
The official IRNA news agency reported Saturday that Mohammad Javad Zarif will meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Alhakim, Iraqi President Barham Salih, and Prime Minister Mohammed al-Halbousi during his two-day visit.
Iraq's Foreign Ministry spokesman says Zarif will discuss the situation in the region and ways of finding common ground.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Friday, Zarif was in Pakistan and met officials there as tensions have ratcheted up in the Mideast. The White House earlier this month sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the region in response to a still-unexplained threat from Iran. The U.S. plans to send 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East amid heightened tensions.