Zarif: ISIL Working against Islam, Humanity, Threatening Regional, International Peace

BAGHDAD-The so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) terrorist organization poses a threat not only to the security of Syria and Iraq but to the security of the entire region, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned.

Zarif, who was speaking yesterday during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari following their talks in Baghdad, stressed that “ISIL is working against religion, Islam, humanity as well as regional and international peace and security and its confrontation needs coordinated and orchestrated national efforts.”

“There is an urgent need to fight the terrorist organizations which brought chaos to Syria and Iraq and which are committing massacres and horrible crimes against humanity,” said Zarif, affirming his country’s support for Iraq’s sovereignty, security, national unity and territorial integrity.

He denied the existence of Iranian soldiers fighting in Iraq, asserting that Iraq, with all its components doesn’t need Iranian soldiers.

The Iranian diplomat, who hailed the historical relations and strategic cooperation between Iran and Iraq, expressed satisfaction over the political and democratic process taking place in Iraq, particularly entrusting Haidar al-Abadi to form the new Iraqi government.

For his part, Zebari said ISIL terrorist aggression against Iraq necessitates international and regional cooperation “to defeat those outlaw groups which seek distorting Islam principles and using religion for evil purposes.”

He hailed the international and regional cooperation with Iraq in fighting terrorism, reiterating that confronting this phenomenon needs the help of all countries and forces which combat the mentality of extremism and hatred.

Zarif: Zionist entity a threat to international peace and security

In a statement to the Iranian TV, the Iranian foreign minister affirmed that the Zionist entity poses the biggest treat to international peace and security.

“The Israeli occupation crimes against the unarmed Palestinian people in Gaza necessitate imposing sanctions on the Zionist entity,” said Zarif, calling for referring the Israeli file to the International Criminal Court for its crimes against the Palestinians.

 The Iranian minister’s visit to Iraq comes as the country is facing tension created by the ISIL Takfiri terrorists that have overrun large areas of land in the northern parts of the country and threatened all the Iraqi communities.

 H. Mustafa