The department said in a statement that the discussions will cover a range of issues, including security and counterterrorism, economics and energy, and educational and cultural cooperation.

The meeting be held via video teleconference.

The two countries began the talks last year under the Trump administration with a virtual summit in June and a subsequent visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to the White House on August 20.

Those talks largely focused on whether the US would pull its troops out of the country, the Council of Representatives having called for the removal of foreign troops following the US’ assassination of Iranian Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in January 2020.

These are the first round of the strategic dialogue under the new Biden administration, which has so far taken a more conciliatory approach to relations with allies.

It has also said it hopes to revive the nuclear agreement with Iran signed under the Obama administration. The abrogation of the deal by Trump created significant tension in the region.

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