Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in Baghdad for his first overseas trip since assuming office in July. This visit highlights Iraq's pivotal role as a key ally of Iran and a host nation to US military forces.

The trip occurs amid escalating regional tensions, including recent attacks on US personnel by Iran-aligned militias and an explosion at a US-led coalition base in Baghdad.

During his visit, Pezeshkian is set to negotiate several agreements with Iraqi officials and plans to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan, a region with past Iranian military engagements.

Since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, Iran and Iraq, both predominantly Shiite nations, have deepened their relationship. However, ongoing regional conflicts and instability continue to influence their diplomatic interactions.