Iran and Iraq have close relations and the two Iranian and Iraqi nations share lots of religious commonalities, Adil Abdul-Mahdi said during a phone conversation with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, IRNA reported.

The Iraqi PM noted that Iraq wants the progress of Iran because advancement of Iran is the advancement for Iraq.

Further consultations between Tehran and Baghdad can help promote the two countries' cooperation in regional and defense fields, he added.

The Iraqi official said that Baghdad wants good neighborliness with its neighbors.

Reporter’s code: 50101