The Iranian president has arrived in Iraq for his first visit abroad

Iran's new president Massoud Pezeshkian has arrived in neighboring Iraq. This happened at a time when he is trying to deepen the already close relations between the two countries during his first visit since taking office, reported AFP.

"Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Sudani welcomed the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Massoud Pezeshkian," the Iraqi prime minister's office said with a photo of the two at Baghdad airport.

Pezeshkian has pledged to make relations with neighboring countries a priority as he seeks to reduce Iran's international isolation and soften the impact of US-led sanctions on the country's economy.

His visit comes a day after Western powers announced new sanctions on Iran over its supply of short-range missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Khanani warned Britain, Germany and France that "they will face appropriate and proportionate action" for their "hostile" move.| BGNES