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FRANK26: "USA CONGRESS UPDATED ON IRAQ".........F26
Al-Sudani informs Congress of Baghdad's support for the Washington-Tehran negotiations.
4/13/2025
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani informed a delegation from the US Congress on Sunday of the Baghdad government's support for the Washington-Tehran negotiations that began yesterday in the Omani capital, Muscat.
The Prime Minister's media office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that "Al-Sudani received, today, Sunday, a number of members of the US Congress, where they discussed developing bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them in various fields."
Al-Sudani, according to the statement, pointed out "the importance of strategic relations with the United States, which benefit the peoples of both friendly countries," noting that "the government welcomes all efforts to consolidate calm in the region, and Iraq's support for meetings and dialogues aimed at ending tensions and establishing security and stability."
He added, "Iraq is moving steadily toward achieving comprehensive development, reforms, and entitlements, most importantly holding legislative elections that will affirm the Iraqi people's commitment, across all spectrums, to the democratic process."
For their part, US Congressmen Michael Baumgartner (Republican Party) and Adam Smith, George Whitesides, Wesley Bell, and Sarah Jacobs (Democratic Party) highlighted the importance of the relationship with Iraq as a key partner in the Middle East. They praised the Iraqi government's successes in development, construction, and reconstruction across various sectors during their visit.
The Omani capital, Muscat, concluded a round of indirect talks on Saturday between delegations from Iran and the United States regarding Tehran's nuclear program. A second round is scheduled to be held next Saturday.
Tehran's delegation to the talks was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, while Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, headed the US delegation.
The meeting was held in two separate rooms, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi conveying written messages between the two sides. He noted that the atmosphere was "friendly" and focused on achieving a "fair and binding" agreement.
