Iraqi president in Tehran for talks

Iraq's President Fuad Masum arrived on Tuesday in Tehran for a two-day visit expected to focus on the fight against the Islamic State group and also on economic ties.

Masum arrived with the Baghdad government's ministers for trade, tourism and the environment, state media said. and they were welcomed at Mehrabad Airport by Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran's minister for trade, industry and mines.

Shiite Iran has been pivotal in efforts to push back IS since the jihadists overran large parts of Iraq last June, sending weapons and military advisers who have coordinated fighting on the ground.

Iran-backed Shiite militias have taken back Sunni cities such as Tikrit, but Iraq remains locked in battles against the militants.

Masum will be greeted by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani at a ceremony in Tehran early on Wednesday, and is also expected to meet supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during his visit.