Abdollahian from Russia: Iran Won’t Send Troops to Iraq

Iran announced it will not send armed forces to fight Takfiri terrorists in Iraq but will help Baghdad if it asks for military equipment, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

AbdollahianDuring a visit to Moscow where he held talks with Russian officials on Tuesday, Abdollahian said: “If Iraq ever requires our arms for an effective combat against terrorism, we will provide these arms in accordance with international law and our bilateral contracts.”

“Although Iraq has a strong army, Iran is ready to send military consultants to the neighboring country to help with battles against the al-Qaeda splinter Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL),” Amir-Abdollahian indicated.

Referring to recent remarks by the leaders of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, he said the Kurdish leaders should face reality. “All Iraqi factions should respect the country’s constitution,” Abdollahian said, stressing the necessity to prevent the country from breaking up.

Earlier in the day, Massoud Barzani, the president of Kurdistan region, said he intended to hold a referendum on the region’s independence within months.