Iran, Iraq to Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement
TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hussein Baqeri on Sunday said Iran and Iraq plan to sign an agreement on military and defense cooperation.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Iraq’s Defense Minister General Juma Anad Saadoun here, Major General Baqeri said Tehran and Baghdad have drafted a document on military cooperation, which is being finalized and will be signed in the near future.
The top Iranian commander said he discussed various topics relating to defense industries, security of common border, exchange of experiences, training programs, and holding joint military exercises with the Iraqi minister.
Highlighting Iran’s support for Iraq’s security and its battle against terrorism, Baqeri said such cooperation would strengthen Iraq’s security, given that the U.S. is pushing for a resurgence of terrorists in the region.
"The purpose of this meeting is to develop and deepen security in both Iran and Iraq, but of course Iraq has faced several conspiracies in recent years,” he said. "And now, as the Americans seek to redeploy terrorists in the region, this cooperation will provide better security for Iraq.”
He also assured that Iranian armed forces will continue supporting their "Iraqi brothers” in training, operational and advisory fields whenever necessary.
In 2014, when Daesh unleashed its campaign of terror in Iraq, Iranian military advisers rushed to the aid of the Iraqi armed forces on Baghdad’s request, helping them reverse the terrorist group’s gains and ultimately liberate their entire homeland from the U.S.-sponsored takfiri extremists some three years later.
Iran’s iconic anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimnai, who played a key role in eliminating Daesh in the region, was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike upon his arrival at Baghdad airport on January 3 at the invitation of the Iraqi government.
The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Sunday pledged that any source of threat to the security of Iranian and Iraqi people at their common border will be dealt with decisively.
In a meeting with the Iraqi defense minister, Ali Shamkhani emphasized the need for Iran and Iraq to safeguard security along their common border.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Iraq’s Defense Minister General Juma Anad Saadoun here, Major General Baqeri said Tehran and Baghdad have drafted a document on military cooperation, which is being finalized and will be signed in the near future.
The top Iranian commander said he discussed various topics relating to defense industries, security of common border, exchange of experiences, training programs, and holding joint military exercises with the Iraqi minister.
Highlighting Iran’s support for Iraq’s security and its battle against terrorism, Baqeri said such cooperation would strengthen Iraq’s security, given that the U.S. is pushing for a resurgence of terrorists in the region.
"The purpose of this meeting is to develop and deepen security in both Iran and Iraq, but of course Iraq has faced several conspiracies in recent years,” he said. "And now, as the Americans seek to redeploy terrorists in the region, this cooperation will provide better security for Iraq.”
He also assured that Iranian armed forces will continue supporting their "Iraqi brothers” in training, operational and advisory fields whenever necessary.
In 2014, when Daesh unleashed its campaign of terror in Iraq, Iranian military advisers rushed to the aid of the Iraqi armed forces on Baghdad’s request, helping them reverse the terrorist group’s gains and ultimately liberate their entire homeland from the U.S.-sponsored takfiri extremists some three years later.
Iran’s iconic anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimnai, who played a key role in eliminating Daesh in the region, was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike upon his arrival at Baghdad airport on January 3 at the invitation of the Iraqi government.
The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Sunday pledged that any source of threat to the security of Iranian and Iraqi people at their common border will be dealt with decisively.
In a meeting with the Iraqi defense minister, Ali Shamkhani emphasized the need for Iran and Iraq to safeguard security along their common border.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will take decisive action against any agent of insecurity that may upset the tranquility of the two countries,” he said. Hailing close defense and security cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad in the fight against organized terrorism sponsored by the U.S. and its cohorts in the region, Shamkhani underlined Iran’s unwavering support for Iraq in liberating its cities from the clutches of Daesh terrorists. "This cooperation guarantees regional stability and security, and must be promoted to strategic levels and be institutionalized,” he said. Top American officials, Shamkhani said, have confessed that U.S. military presence in the West Asia region has resulted in nothing but wars, instability and destruction of the region’s vital resources. He further praised the Iraqi parliament for passing a bill on the expulsion of American military forces from the Arab country, saying a full withdrawal of U.S. troops is key to establishing peace and security in the region. For his part, the Iraqi defense minister thanked Iran for supporting his country in the battle against terrorism, calling for enhancement of military and security cooperation with the Islamic Republic. No third country can ever undermine friendly relations between Baghdad and Tehran, Anad Saadoun said. Iran and Iraq’s joint action against Daesh terrorists proved that mutual cooperation can help the two countries overcome problems, he added. The general, heading a high-ranking delegation of Iraqi military commanders on his official visit to Tehran, also met with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Amir Hatami.