Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned against placing trust in the United States, saying Washington is against Iraq’s independence and unity.
“Vigilance is required against the Americans and they should not be trusted at all because the US and its puppets oppose Iraq’s independence, identity and unity,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Tehran on Tuesday.
The Leader hailed the unity and coherence among all Iraqi political and faith movements in their fight against ISIS terrorists and said the Popular Mobilization Units, commonly known by their Arabic name, Hashd al-Sha’abi, are important and a power element for the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei added that the US is against Hashd al-Sha’abi because “they [Americans] want Iraq to lose its key element of strength.”
“Do not trust the Americans at all because they seek an opportunity to strike their blow,” the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei warned that any emergence of division and conflict among Iraqis would pave the way for Washington to harm Iraq, stressing the importance of preventing the presence of US forces in Iraq under the pretext of training.
US created ISIS
The Leader further emphasized that the US and some of its allies in the region do not seek the destruction and eradication of ISIS as the terrorist group has been created through their support.
They want to prolong the existence of ISIS in Iraq, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated.
The Leader stressed the importance of safeguarding Iraq’s territorial integrity and said, “As a neighbor, the Islamic Republic of Iran is against certain murmurs about the holding of a referendum for the separation of a section of Iraq.”
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hope that the Iraqi government would manage to solve the problems it faces and said, “The Iraqi government must be strengthened in every way and all political and faith movements in Iraq are duty-bound to support the sitting government.”
The Leader also said Iran and Iraq must further expand relations in various fields, urging the two sides to remove the obstacles in the way of bolstering their cooperation.
Al-Abadi's gratitude to Iran's support in war on ISIS
During the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri, the Iraqi prime minister commended Iran’s support for his country in the fight against ISIS.
Abadi said all Iraqi political and religious groups are united in the battle against ISIS until its full eradication.
He added that Baghdad needs Tehran’s aid during the fight against ISIS and after the elimination of the Takfiris which is a time for Iraq’s stability, peace and construction.
Meanwhile, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani also met with the Iraqi and congratulated victories of the Iraqi government, army and Popular Mobilization Units in their fight against terrorism adding: “The liberation of Mosul is a symbol of an end to terrorism and victory of Iran, Iraq, Syria and all countries in the region that are combatting the scourge of terrorism”.
Rouhani added: “The Islamic Republic of Iran, which considers victory against terrorists and Iraqi nation’s security as its own victory and security, has been, and will always be, by the Iraqi nation”.
Describing the intensification terrorist acts in the region as a part of vicious plot by the Zionists, the Iranian president noted that: “Combatting terrorism must not make us forget the issue of Quds and the threat of the Zionist Regime in the region”.
In the meeting, the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi stressed that Iraq is determined to develop its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all fields, adding: “The Iraqi government is willing to deepen its cooperation with Iran in all fields, especially in trade”.
Describing more cooperation between all countries of the region, especially Tehran and Baghdad essential in combatting terrorism, he said: “ISIS terrorists recognize no borders and limitations and all countries must cooperate in combatting this common threat”.
Heading a delegation, Abadi arrived in Tehran on the second leg of a three-nation tour after a key trip to Saudi Arabia. At the end of his day-long stay in Tehran, the Iraqi premier will set off for Kuwait to meet with the country’s senior officials.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/7187
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