Iran foreign minister and IRGC Quds Force commander in Iraq - Updated

[Updated to include FM Zarif's visit to Baghdad, 07:54 on 28JUL15]

During the last stage of his post-JCPOA Gulf diplomacy tour, Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his diplomatic delegation arrive evening of 26JUL15 at Najaf International Airport in Iraq.

Zarif's aircraft is Islamic Republic of Iran Government Boeing 737-286/Adv, reg. EP-AGA (cn 21317/483). First open-source photo of this VIP aircraft in service since very recent D-check by Iran Air and repainting in new style of government livery [see HERE].

Zarif's itinerary includes visits to the Shia holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, and shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Hussein, and meeting with "Big Four" Grand Ayatollahs Sistani, Hakim, Fayyadh and Basheer Najafi (see below).

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on 26JUL15 at the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, Iraq

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on 26JUL15 praying at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, Iraq 

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Sayyed Hashem Nizar, Secretary General of the upper threshold of the sacred at Imam Ali shrine

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Sa'id al-Tabataba'i al-Hakim. The Grand Ayatollah's second cousin, Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim leads the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, one of the largest Shia political parties in Iraq.

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ishaq al-Fayyadh. Born in a village in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan to Hazara parents, this Grand Ayatollah holds Iranian and Afghani citizenships

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain Najafi

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and diplomatic delegation arriving 27JUL15 at Baghdad International Airport

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Iraq Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, on 27JUL15 in Baghdad

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Iraq Prime Minister Haider Jawad Kadhim Al-Abadi, on 27JUL15 in Baghdad

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Iraq President Muhammad Fuad Masum, on 27JUL15 in Baghdad

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Seyed Ammar al-Hakim, President of Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, on 27JUL15 in Baghdad.

Photo appearing this week on social media depicting IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimaini, in Baghdad, with Popular Mobilization Force Commander Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and combat leaders from Iran-backed Kata'ib Jund al-Imam. Note in background flags of Kurdistan and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Location possibly Sulaymaniyah.

Photos: Mehr News Agency, Islamic Republic News Agency

Ahmadinejad: Baghdad and Tehran have 'exceptional' security role to play in Mideast region

Ahmadinejad.

In a visit to Baghdad Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proclaimed that Tehran and Baghdad have an "exceptional" security role to play when it comes to the regions security.

"We carry a joint message, which is a message of progress and stability and security, and also a message of peace," he was quoted as saying after talks with the Vice President of Iraq Khudayr al-Khuzaie. (Middle East Online, July 19 2013)

He also stated that, “The prosperity, progress, and security of Iraq are also Iran’s prosperity, progress, and security." (Tehran Times, July 19 2013)

The red carpet was rolled out for his visit.

According to a statement on Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's website the Iraqi Prime Minister told Mr. Ahmadinejad that "Iraq supports peaceful solutions for all the problems in the region."

He went on to tell Ahmadinejad that Iranian companies are welcome to participate in the reconstruction of the Iraqi state.

Following these meetings Ahmadinejad visited the Shiite holy shrines in the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf. (ABC News, July 19 2013)

Mr. Ahmadinejad's presidential term is due to end next month when he will be succeeded by President-elect Hasan Rouhani.