Iran ready to fulfill needs of Iraqi Armed Forces to strengthen defense power: Hatami

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami has expressed the Islamic Republic’s readiness to help boost Iraq’s defense power and supply all requirements of the country’s armed forces.

“The Defense Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its numerous capacities and infrastructure which are the outcome of cruel sanctions [imposed] after the victory of the Islamic Revolution (in 1979), is ready to fulfill the needs of Iraq’s Armed Forces in order to promote the country's defense power,” Hatami said in a meeting with Iraq’s Defense Minister Lieutenant General Juma Anad Saadoun Khattab in Tehran on Saturday.

He hailed the promotion of security situation in Iraq and said, “We still support the political process and Iraq’s stability and security as well as the territorial integrity of our brotherly neighbor.”

He hailed Iran-Iraq cooperation in establishing security in the region and fighting terrorism and said, “We consider Iraq's development a prerequisite for the establishment of stability and security in that country and are ready to participate in Iraq's reconstruction and development.”

Hatami noted that senior Iranian and Iraqi authorities are resolute to strengthen extensive relations.

The Iranian defense chief pointed to the current “sensitive and difficult” situation in the region and emphasized that interference of foreign and arrogant powers has always been the main reason behind regional insecurity and instability.

He said, “The measures of big powers, and above all the Great Satan (the US), revealed that they have hatched long-term plots to destabilize the region.”

The Iranian defense minister further stressed the importance of ensuring regional security by all countries in the region and said the presence and interference of extra-regional forces would never contribute to peace and security.

The Iraqi defense minister, for his part, said his country seeks to boost the capabilities of its armed forces to uproot terrorism in the region in cooperation with Iran and added that Baghdad would spare no efforts to eliminate terrorists.

Anad said his trip to Tehran aims to expand mutual relations and use Iran’s scientific and technological experiences in the defense sector.

He also thanked Iran for providing his country with advisory assistance and military help in the battle against the Daesh terrorist group.

Heading a high-ranking delegation of military commanders, Anad arrived in the Iranian capital on Saturday upon an official invitation by his Iranian counterpart.

Back in May, Hatami said in a video call with the Iraqi defense minister that Iran was willing to forge a strategic partnership with Iraq and turn bilateral ties into a “successful model for cooperation.”

Defense minister: Iran ready for strategic partnership with Iraq

Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami expresses Iran’s willingness to forge a strategic partnership with neighboring Iraq.

Hatamai underlined the need for defense cooperation between the two sides to restore security and stability to the region.

Iran has maintained close ties with Iraq since the ouster of former dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

In 2014, when the Daesh Takfiri terrorists unleashed a campaign of terror in Iraq, Iranian military advisers came to the assistance of the Iraqi Armed Forces on Baghdad’s request.

With Iran’s advisory aid, Iraq managed to reverse Daesh’s gains and ultimately liberate the entire homeland some three years later.

Read more: 

• Iraq seeks air defense cooperation with Iran after IRGC downing of US drone

• Iran finalizes deals to rehabilitate, develop Iraq’s power grid

• Foreign powers must stop interfering in Iraq affairs: Iran president

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