Iranian, Iraqi Top Diplomats Discuss Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism in Syria

BAGHDAD, (ST)- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Iraqi counterpart Mohammad Ali al-Hakeem on Sunday discussed cooperation between the two countries and ways of supporting Syria in the fight against terrorism.

 In a joint press conference in Baghdad, al-Hakeem said that he and Zarif discussed supporting Syria and efforts to restore security and stability in the entire Syrian territory.

He added that the talks also focused on peaceful solution of the crisis in Yemen as well as the Iraqi and Iranian support for the Palestinian people until the Isareli occupation ends and the Palestinians estabilsh their independent state with al-Quds as a capital.   

On his part, Zarif affirmed that Iran and Iraq reiterate the need to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian territories and to support Syria in its fight to eliminate terrorism.

 He went on to say that relations between Iran and Iraq are very strong, pointing out that the two countries won’t allow anybody to interfere in their ties.

Zarif also said that the Islamic Republic believes that support for the Israeli entity poses the main danger to the region, adding that all nations back the Palestinian people’s cause.

Zarif is in Iraq for a four-day visit to hold talks with Iraqi officials and attend several economic forums.

Iran, Iraq foiled US moves to sabotage mutual ties: Zarif

According to Press TV, Zarif commended Iraq’s positive stance on the promotion of ties with Iran, saying the two countries have managed to foil US bids to sabotage mutual relations.

“After [achieving] victory against Daesh, some countries, including the US, have created certain problems in the way of the two countries’ cooperation, but fortunately, they were defused thanks to the wisdom of the two countries’ officials,” Zarif told reporters upon his arrival in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Sunday.

Iran’s top diplomat praised the Iraqi government’s positive stance on unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States against the Iranian nation and noted that he plans to hold talks with senior officials of the Arab country about ways to further boost cooperation.

Zarif called the US a “losing horse” and recommended countries not to lay bet on a losing horse.

  “The US has faced failure over the past 40 years in its policies against the Iranian people,” Zarif said.

The Iranian foreign minister also noted that he would attend three trade meetings between the economic agents of the two countries’ private sectors in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad, Karbala and Sulaymaniyah.

No interference allowed in Tehran-Baghdad ties

The Iranian minister said Tehran and Baghdad enjoy solid relations, stressing that the two sides do not allow anyone to interfere in their ties.

 “Relations between Iran and Iraq are not harmful to anybody and for this reason, we do not allow anyone to interfere in them,” Zarif said in the joint press conference.

Zarif noted that he had held very important talks with his Iraqi counterpart mainly on mutual relations in various sectors such as trade, politics, tourism, health, pilgrimage and regional developments as well as cooperation in international organizations, saying that the two countries have a very close stance on these issues.

Hamda Mustafa