Iranian caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Tehran wants to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Iraq, Press TV reported.
Salehi made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with Iraqi MP Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Tehran.
During the meeting, Salehi congratulated the former Iraqi prime minister over the formation of Iraq's national unity government.
Salehi also noted that the two countries have many cultural affinities and expressed hope that Tehran and Baghdad would expand their relations in all areas.
Jaafari said Iraq appreciates Iran's stance on the formation of the new Iraqi government.
He also stated that Iraq still needs the help of neighboring countries, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In October 2010, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani both agreed on the need to expand Tehran-Baghdad relations.
In a phone conversation with Talabani, Ahmadinejad described Tehran-Baghdad relations as "very good" and expressed hope that the establishment of an Iraqi government would result in the comprehensive expansion of bilateral ties, particularly in the political and economic spheres.
Talabani told him that Iraq is eager to strengthen relations with its eastern neighbor, adding, "I hope I will pay a visit to Tehran after the Iraqi government is formed."