Iran Press/ Middle East: During a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Cardinal Lewis, the leader of the Chaldean Christians in Iraq and the world, thanked Iran for its important and effective role in strengthening relations with Iraq and bringing religions closer together, calling it very important and valuable.
Cardinal Lewis made this statement during a meeting with Zarif on the second day of his visit to Iraq.
The Chaldean Christian leader also praised Iran's effective role in the fight against ISIL, which led to the protection and safeguarding of religious minorities during the terrorist outfit's domination of much of Iraq.
Chaldean Christians are the largest Christian population among other Christian tribes in Iraq, including Assyrians, Armenians, Catholics, and others.
They are located in different parts of Iraq, especially Baghdad, parts of southern Iraq, including Dhiqar and Basra, and the largest Christian population in the north of the country, including Kirkuk, Ninawa, and the Iraqi Kurdish region. The Christian population was estimated at one million before the ISIL terrorist attack, but many Christians fled Iraq for fear of death following the terrorist group's attack in 2014.
The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who arrived in Baghdad yesterday (Monday), met with various Iraqi officials and figures, including the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, the Foreign Minister, tribal leaders, and leaders of Shia and Sunni religions.
Zarif will also is scheduled to meet with officials from the Iraqi Kurdish Region today.
Mohammad Javad Zarif had previously tweeted that Iran's priority is its neighbors.
Stating that Iran welcomes Iraq's pivotal role in the region, he referred to his various meetings in Iraq.
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