New Delhi, July 24 -- TEHRAN - At a moment when American warplanes have been bombing Iranian territory for nearly two weeks straight, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi flew to Tehran on Wednesday for his first official visit since taking office in May, signing a package of bilateral accords with President Masoud Pezeshkian and declaring that Baghdad will not be wielded as an instrument against its neighbour.

The timing was deliberate. As the United States and Iran mark their 12th consecutive night of air strikes and retaliatory attacks, al-Zaidi arrived in the Iranian capital to sign energy agreements, banking cooperation frameworks, and a railway pledge; and he left having done so.

"Iraq will never forget Iran's support in the fight ag...