Leader Tells Iraqi President in Tehran:
Stand Tall Against Enemies
TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Saturday that the way to overcome problems and confront the conspiracies of the vindictive enemies is to safeguard national unity in Iraq.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks during a meeting with Iraqi President Barham Salih who said earlier that he had come to Tehran with "a clear message” to further boost bilateral ties after new U.S. sanctions on Iran.
The Leader said Iraq has to "correctly identify enemies and friends, stand up to the blatant enemy, rely on the capabilities of its youths and consolidate relations with religious scholars”.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised deep-rooted and historical relations between the Iraqi and Iranian nations, saying the bond between the two nations is matchless which was manifested in the "great walk of Arba’een”.
The Leader touched on the participation of over 2 million Iranian pilgrims in the walk this month, saying upon their return, the hearts of all Iranian pilgrims were filled with gratitude to the Iraqi nation for its hospitality and generosity.
"Now that after eras of the rule of arrogance, the Iraqi nation owns the country and enjoys independence, the right to vote and self-determination, some spiteful governments seek to deprive the Iraqi people of enjoying this great victory and achievement and deny Iraq and this region peace,” the Leader said.
"The only solution in confronting such conspiracies is to safeguard and strengthen unity among Iraqi groups including Arabs, Kurds, Shias and Sunnis,” he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said some states within or outside the region are very hostile to Islam, adding they interfere in the internal affairs of Iraq.
"These enemies should be resisted powerfully, and with regard to resisting against the blatant and impudent enemy, no compromise should be made.”
Regarding mutual cooperation between Iran and Iraq, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "The officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran are determined and look forward to expanding relations with Iraq. I also strongly believe in it.”
The Leader said a dignified, powerful, independent and advanced Iraq will also benefit Iran, "and we support our Iraqi brothers”.
Ayatollah Khamenei also advised Iraqi leaders to rely on the youth in order to bring about major changes to the country.
"A clear example of amazing outcomes of relying on the youth was the formation of Hashd al-Sha’abi amidst the fight against Takfiri terrorism-- and this must be endorsed.”
Salih said, "I have come to Tehran with a clear message that the factors and elements that bond the two nations of Iraq and Iran together is rooted in history and are thus unchangeable.”
"We look forward to expanding cooperation in all areas and promoting it to a level which suits the two nations’ social and cultural relations and common interests,” he added.
Salih said Baghdad will never forget Iran’s support in Iraq’s fight against Saddam’s autocracy and Takfiri terrorism.
He also said, "We deem wisdom, logic, and sagacity of religious authority (marja’iyah) a great blessing for the stability, peace and progress of Iraq.”
The two-day visit comes at a sensitive time when the U.S. is pressuring regional countries to go along with Washington in "squeezing” Iran under new sanctions unveiled early this month.
But Iraqi officials have protested to the dictate and underlined Iran’s importance, including its place as the top trade partner of the Arab country.
"I have come here today with a clear message from Baghdad: We appreciate the importance of relations with Iran and these economic, cultural and political relations are rooted in history,” Salih said in a joint news conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
President Rouhani said Iran and Iraq will try to raise annual bilateral trade to $20 billion from the current level of $12 billion.
"Today, the economic relations between the two countries reach about $12 billion (per year) and, through bilateral efforts, we can raise this figure to $20 billion," he said.
Foodstuff, livestock, construction material and plastic products constitute the bulk of Iran’s exports to Iraq. Iranian vehicles and food data-x-items are a ubiquitous sight in Iraq.
There are also energy contracts between the two countries contributing to a volume of trade of $12 billion last year.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks during a meeting with Iraqi President Barham Salih who said earlier that he had come to Tehran with "a clear message” to further boost bilateral ties after new U.S. sanctions on Iran.
The Leader said Iraq has to "correctly identify enemies and friends, stand up to the blatant enemy, rely on the capabilities of its youths and consolidate relations with religious scholars”.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised deep-rooted and historical relations between the Iraqi and Iranian nations, saying the bond between the two nations is matchless which was manifested in the "great walk of Arba’een”.
The Leader touched on the participation of over 2 million Iranian pilgrims in the walk this month, saying upon their return, the hearts of all Iranian pilgrims were filled with gratitude to the Iraqi nation for its hospitality and generosity.
"Now that after eras of the rule of arrogance, the Iraqi nation owns the country and enjoys independence, the right to vote and self-determination, some spiteful governments seek to deprive the Iraqi people of enjoying this great victory and achievement and deny Iraq and this region peace,” the Leader said.
"The only solution in confronting such conspiracies is to safeguard and strengthen unity among Iraqi groups including Arabs, Kurds, Shias and Sunnis,” he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said some states within or outside the region are very hostile to Islam, adding they interfere in the internal affairs of Iraq.
"These enemies should be resisted powerfully, and with regard to resisting against the blatant and impudent enemy, no compromise should be made.”
Regarding mutual cooperation between Iran and Iraq, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "The officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran are determined and look forward to expanding relations with Iraq. I also strongly believe in it.”
The Leader said a dignified, powerful, independent and advanced Iraq will also benefit Iran, "and we support our Iraqi brothers”.
Ayatollah Khamenei also advised Iraqi leaders to rely on the youth in order to bring about major changes to the country.
"A clear example of amazing outcomes of relying on the youth was the formation of Hashd al-Sha’abi amidst the fight against Takfiri terrorism-- and this must be endorsed.”
Salih said, "I have come to Tehran with a clear message that the factors and elements that bond the two nations of Iraq and Iran together is rooted in history and are thus unchangeable.”
"We look forward to expanding cooperation in all areas and promoting it to a level which suits the two nations’ social and cultural relations and common interests,” he added.
Salih said Baghdad will never forget Iran’s support in Iraq’s fight against Saddam’s autocracy and Takfiri terrorism.
He also said, "We deem wisdom, logic, and sagacity of religious authority (marja’iyah) a great blessing for the stability, peace and progress of Iraq.”
The two-day visit comes at a sensitive time when the U.S. is pressuring regional countries to go along with Washington in "squeezing” Iran under new sanctions unveiled early this month.
But Iraqi officials have protested to the dictate and underlined Iran’s importance, including its place as the top trade partner of the Arab country.
"I have come here today with a clear message from Baghdad: We appreciate the importance of relations with Iran and these economic, cultural and political relations are rooted in history,” Salih said in a joint news conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
President Rouhani said Iran and Iraq will try to raise annual bilateral trade to $20 billion from the current level of $12 billion.
"Today, the economic relations between the two countries reach about $12 billion (per year) and, through bilateral efforts, we can raise this figure to $20 billion," he said.
Foodstuff, livestock, construction material and plastic products constitute the bulk of Iran’s exports to Iraq. Iranian vehicles and food data-x-items are a ubiquitous sight in Iraq.
There are also energy contracts between the two countries contributing to a volume of trade of $12 billion last year.