Iran, Iraq call for enhanced defense relations

Iran Press TV

Tue Feb 24, 2015 12:34PM

The Iranian defense minister has voiced the Islamic Republic's preparedness to further enhance its defense cooperation with Iraq, which has been engaged in a fierce battle against ISIL Takfiri terrorists.

Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart, Khaled al-Obeidi, on Tuesday.

During the talks, the two senior officials discussed the latest developments in Iraq as well as the issues of bilateral and regional significance.

Dehqan hailed the Iraqi Defense Ministry's efforts to counter the terror threat in the country, reaffirming Iran's firm support for the Iraqi nation and government in their anti-terror fight.

The Islamic Republic is ready to speed up the implementation of mutual agreements previously signed between the two countries to help the establishment of stability and peace in Iraq and the entire Middle East, the Iranian defense chief added.

Al-Obeidi , for his part, praised the Islamic Republic's support for Iraq and called for the speedy execution of Tehran-Baghdad defense agreements.

Iraq has witnessed a surge in violence since the ISIL Takfiri group started its campaign of terror in the Arab nation in early June 2014. The heavily-armed militants took control of Mosul before sweeping through parts of the country's Sunni Arab heartland.

Iraqi forces, supported by the nation, have made gains against the terrorists in different parts of the Arab country, liberating towns and villages.

Iran has repeatedly stressed that it will not interfere militarily in Iraq and Syria, but that it will continue to provide support for both countries against ISIL in the form of defense consultation and humanitarian aid.

YH/MKA/SS