Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi hailed Iraq for its mediation in bringing Tehran and Riyadh closer together, noting that building and strengthening relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will serve regional security, Raisi said on Monday in a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein, who is on a visit to Tehran, Tasnim reported.

The IRI president praised Iraq's positive role in regional developments.

"The initiatives proposed and measures taken by Iraq to improve cooperation among regional countries free of foreign interference play an effective role in strengthening regional cooperation," he stressed.

Raisi noted that the five rounds of talks between Tehran and Riyadh mediated by Iraq were positive and useful, stressing that the implementation of the agreements reached in these talks will pave the way for further development of interaction between the two sides.

"The restoration and further strengthening of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will be in the interest of regional security," the Iranian president said.

He also stressed that establishing security and stability in Iraq is possible only through dialogue among all political groups on the basis of the country's constitution and with a view to forming a new government.

Hussein, for his part, praised Iran's continued support for establishing stability and security in Iraq, saying his country would continue its efforts to improve Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia.

Since last April, Iraq has held five rounds of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran at the level of heads of intelligence and security services.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016 after Iranian protesters angry over Saudi Arabia's execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr stormed its embassy in Tehran.