Speaking to reporters before travelling to Iraq on Saturday, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian said, “We’d welcome any regional initiative (launched) by the Republic of Iraq’s officials that is participated by the regional countries.”

Iran believes that it was necessary to invite Syria as well to the summit as a major neighbor of Iraq, he added, noting, “However, we are in contact and hold consultations with Syria’s leadership about the region’s security and sustainable development.”

The Iranian foreign minister also said that Tehran will hold “direct consultations with Damascus” about the Baghdad summit, highlighting the significant role of the regional countries in any regional initiative.

Officials from around the region have gathered in Baghdad for a summit aiming to promote peace and reconciliation in the region, including improving ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The Saturday meeting seeks to give Iraq a “unifying role” to tackle the crises shaking the region, according to sources close to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.