Iraqi defense minister described Iran’s support for armed forces in Iraq ‘a strategic need.’
Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi, who arrived in Tehran on Monday, said his country looks forward to further deepening friendly cooperation with Iran, calling Iran’s support for armed forces in Iraq a strategic need.
In a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan pointed to the deep cultural, social, religious and ethnic solidarities between the two nations, stressing the need to expand defensive cooperation between the two countries.
Iran’s support for Iraq’s armed forces is a part of Iran’s security and defense policies in the region, Iranian defense minister said.
“Supporting the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, the development of democracy based on the mechanism envisaged by the constitution, full restoration of security and help to enhance Iraq’s comprehensive progress are among Iran’s main policies,” Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan underlined.
Congratulating on Iraq’s recent victories in the fight against Takfiri terrorist groups, Dehghan expressed hope over formation of a national consensus against terrorism in Iraq which will account for a historic epic in the region.
He strongly criticized the unilateral measures on the pretext of combating terrorism and ISIL, saying that such measures could contribute to the continued survival and to further strengthening the roots of terrorism in the region.
“Any action in Iraq and Syria should be coordinated by the central government in those countries,” Dehghan emphasized.
He strongly decried any action to undermine Iraq’s consistency and integrity, saying that it manifested a separationist approach.
“Since the fall of the Ba’ath Party, the Islamic Republic of Iran has supported Iraqi government,” Dehghan said, underling the involvement and participation of all parties in the political process of the country.
Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid Yasin al-Obeidi, for his part, expressed happiness over his visit to Iran and praised Iran’s comprehensive support for Iraqi government and people.
Iraqi official pointed to Iran’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and said, Iran’s positions and actions in support of Iraq is a historic event indicating the country’s honesty and good faith.
Al-Obeidi emphasized the expansion of defensive cooperation between the two countries. “Today, Iraq is heavily involved in three fronts of fighting against terrorism, combating corruption, reconstruction and modernization,” he stated and that “we need Iran’s help, support and participation in these three fronts.”
