Iran's top national security official, Ali Larijani, has met Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad at the start of an unannounced three-day visit.
It came as the neighbours announced that Iran would send its foreign minister to conferences of world and regional powers this week to find ways to help Iraq build peace and overcome its current security crisis.
According to a statement from Mr Maliki's office, the Iraqi leader 'thanked Iran for agreeing to participate in the two Sharm conferences,' referring to planned meetings in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Iraqi statement said Mr Larijani had promised that Iran would invest in Iraq's electricity grid and provide fuel supplies.
'He also said Iran has been at the forefront in aiding the government and the Iraqi people after the fall of the dictatorial system and those countries that want security and stability in the region must support the elected Iraqi government,' according to Mr Maliki's office.
Iran maintains close ties with many figures in Mr Maliki's Shiite-led government, despite the suspicions of his embattled coalition's other main ally, the US.
