Syrians, Iraqis defeated Daesh, not Americans: Iran’s Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the victory over the Daesh terrorist group in Iraq and Syria was the result of endeavors by the two nations themselves and the United States played no role in defeating the outfit.

Foreign Minister Zarif made the remarks on Wednesday in a meeting with Iranian and Iraqi businesspeople as well as local officials in the Iraqi city of Karbala.

Zarif pointed to the fact that America has not succeed in combating terrorism in other parts of the world and said success in Iraq and Syria came about because the people of the two countries stood up, fought, and sacrificed lives. “That is why this victory has nothing to do with America but is the achievement of nations in the region.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif also pointed to the commonalities and the long-running relationship between the Iraqi and Iranian nations and called for the deepening of bilateral ties.

He called for the removal of obstacles in the way of bolstering economic cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad.

Heading a high-ranking political and economic delegation, Zarif arrived in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on a four-day visit on Sunday.

Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan call for enhanced ties

Iran and Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region have emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral relations in various sectors, particularly in the economic field.

The Iranian foreign minister held talks with Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, President Barham Salih, Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq Mohamed al-Halbousi, Head of the National Wisdom Movement of Iraq Ammar Hakim, Iraqi lawmaker Hadi al-Amiri, and the heads as well as members of Iraqi religious, political, cultural, ethical, and social bodies.

Zarif also visited the Iraqi Kurdistan region’s capital, Erbil, where he met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)’s Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and business leaders and discussed ways to boost trade ties.