"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the US withdrawal from the Ain al-Assad base in Iraq's Anbar province during a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, in Tehran on Sunday. Footage shows the two ministers shaking hands before heading to a meeting hall at the Iranian Foreign Ministry and holding a joint press conference. "The withdrawal of US military forces from the Ain al-Assad base and delivering it to Iraqi forces are clear signs of the consolidation of independence, stability, and political sovereignty in Iraq, and we are very pleased about this," Araghchi stated. "Today we had talks over the issues of the region. I offered him [Iraqi FM] extensive explanations regarding the recent events [Riots] in Iran. We appreciate Iraq’s government position in support and solidarity with the Iranian nation, and we are pleased that relations between the two countries are continuing on a very good path," he added. Iraq's Chief of Army Staff General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah inspected the forces at Ain al-Assad base after the US's withdrawal on Saturday. The withdrawal was part of a 2024 security pact between Baghdad and Washington, which stipulated the phased termination of the international coalition's combat mission against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq, beginning in September 2025. The second phase of the comprehensive withdrawal plan is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, to include the remaining bases in the Kurdistan region and the transition to a permanent bilateral security relationship between the two countries. Meanwhile, Hussein called the visit part of "regular contexts based on the strong relations between the two countries." "The security of the region's countries is interconnected. We reaffirmed the principles of shared security and non-interference in internal affairs," he continued. The wave of protests, which began in Tehran on December 28 and spread to other cities, was triggered by a deteriorating economic situation and the devaluation of Iran's currency. Several Iranian cities experienced riots and vandalism damaging public property. The Iranian president accused what he termed the 'enemy' of 'training a group inside and outside Iran and bringing terrorists into the country'. Authorities reported over 100 security personnel were killed while combating the riots."