TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Tuesday anything that disrupts Iran’s security will inevitably impinge on Iraq as well, calling on the Baghdad government to exercise greater sovereignty over areas in the country’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
Since riots erupted in Iran more than two months ago, Iranian officials have said terrorist groups in northern Iraq are stoking the unrest and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has launched a series of cross-border strikes to neuter subversive acts.
“According to the constitution, we do not allow any party to use Iraqi soil to disrupt Iran’s security,” Ayatollah Khamenei told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani and his accompanying delegation here.
“Unfortunately, this is now happening in some areas of Iraq, and the only solution is for the Iraqi central government to extend its authority to those areas as well,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said “our view on the security of Iraq is that if any party intends to disturb its security, we will put our chest in front as the shield and protect Iraq”.
“Iraq’s security is Iran’s security, just as Iran’s security also affects Iraq’s security,” the Leader said.
The progress of Iraq and reaching its high and true position is also in the interest of the Islamic Republic.
“We believe that you are a person who has the ability to advance the affairs and communications of Iraq and bring this country to an independent position worthy of its civilization and history,” the Leader told Sudani.
Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated Sudani for his election as the prime minister of Iraq, calling him a faithful and capable person, and stating that his appointment as the head of the Iraqi government is a source of joy.
He called Iraq as the best Arab country in the region in terms of natural and human resources as well as cultural, historical and civilizational background.
“Unfortunately, despite such a background, Iraq has not yet been able to reach its high and true position and it is hoped that with Your Excellency at the helm, Iraq will achieve its real progress and status.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said one of the basic necessities for Iraq to reach its true position is the coherence and unity of the Iraqi groups, adding another requirement for this progress is the maximum use of young and motivated Iraqi forces.
“Of course, the progress of Iraq has enemies who may not show hostility on the surface, but they do not accept a government like yours,” the Leader said.
“You must rely on the people and motivated and young forces who have passed their test in confronting the great and deadly danger of Daesh to stand firm against th
Ayatollah Khamenei said Iraq’s progress in economic, service and even virtual space and presenting an admissible image of the government to the Iraqi people depends on using the huge capacity of the Iraqi youth as the real army supporting the government.
“The new government of Iraq can make serious changes in various fields, especially in providing services to the people, with such support and by using the good financial resources and facilities that exist in this country.”
The Leader touched on Sudani’s negotiations in Tehran, saying “good understandings” were made under previous Iraqi administrations as well, but they did not reach the stage of action due to the will of some parties which did not like cooperation between Iran and Iraq to proceed.
“So we must overcome this will by moving towards action and implementation regarding all understandings, especially in the field of economic cooperation and goods exchange and rail communication.”
The Iraqi prime minister touched on strategic and historical relations between Iran and Iraq, saying a clear example of the two neighbors being together was the war on Daesh, “where the blood of Iranians and Iraqis blended in one trench”.
Sudani also honored Iran’s legendary commander General Qassem Soleimin and his Iraqi trenchmate Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, saying their martyrdom in a U.S. stride is another instance of Iran and Iraq being together.
Sudani stressed the determination of the new Iraqi government to implement agreements between the two countries and expand relations in various fields, especially economy.
He said the security of Iran and Iraq is not separate from each other, adding “as per the constitution, we will not allow any party to use Iraqi soil to undermine security”.
Earlier, Tehran and Baghdad identified fighting “terrorism”, maintaining mutual security and extending economic cooperation as key priorities during the new Iraqi prime minister’s first official visit to Iran.
Sudani was received by President Ebrahim Raisi, who expressed hopes of bolstering ties.
Sudani came to power last month, after a year-long tussle between political factions over forming a government following an October 2021 general election.
“From our perspective and that of the Iraqi government, security, peace, cooperation and regional stability are very important,” Raisi told a joint press conference.
“As a result, the fight against terrorist groups, organized crime, drugs and other insecurity that threaten the region depends on the common will of our two nations,” he said.
Sudani said that “our government is determined not to allow any group or party to use Iraqi territory to undermine and disrupt Iran’s security.”
Iraq has announced in the past week that it will redeploy federal guards on the border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, rather than leaving the responsibility to Kurdish peshmerga forces -- a move welcomed by Tehran.
Sudani added that the two countries’ national security advisers would hold consultations to “establish a working mechanism for on-the-ground coordination to avoid any escalation”.
Sudani also thanked Iran for its continued deliveries of gas and electricity, which have been in short supply in Iraq, while he also pointed to discussions on a “mechanism” to enable Iraq to pay Iran for these services.
Raisi said banking, finance and wider business topics were also discussed and that talks between the two allies “will help to resolve bilateral problems”.
e will of the enemy,” he added.