Rouhani seeks to shore up Iran's influence on Baghdad trip

The first Iranian presidential visit to Iraq since 2013 is also meant to signal to President Donald Trump's administration that Tehran retains its influence in much of the region despite U.S. sanctions. "Iran and Iraq are neighbors and no country can interfere in their relations," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said after arriving in Baghdad to prepare for the visit. Rouhani's three-day trip starting on Monday includes meetings with Iraq's president and prime minister, tours of Shi'ite Muslim holy sites and a meeting with top Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iranian state media reported.

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