TEHRAN, Jul 21 (NNN-IRNA) – The strategic ties between Iran and Iraq will help guarantee the security and stability of the entire region, Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, said yesterday.
“The stability, independence, and territorial integrity of Iraq are of special importance for Iran, and we consider the security of Iraq and Iran are interrelated,” Rouhani made the remarks, in a telephone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, on the occasion of celebrating the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha.
Lauding high-level Iran-Iraq cooperation in economic and trade areas, Rouhani stressed need to implement agreements reached between the two sides, including the Shalamcheh-Basra railway project, which links the southern regions of both countries.
The Iranian leader also criticised “double game” of the U.S., in dealing with terrorism.
“These days, we are witnessing the complicated game of the Americans in Iraq. And it is natural that these policies will not help security and stability in Iraq, but will further complicate the situation,” he noted.
“The Americans have always played a destructive role in the region,” he said, adding that, Iran is opposed to any foreign interference in regional affairs.
“Regional issues should be resolved by the regional countries,” he stressed.
For his part, al-Kadhimi said, bilateral, regional and international cooperation between Baghdad and Tehran improved over the past eight years during Rouhani’s presidency.
He also expressed hope that the railway project connecting the two countries, which has been halted for years, could become operational as soon as possible.
Al-Kadhimi also thanked the Iranian government for supporting Iraq in the fight against terrorist groups, as well as, defending peace and stability in the country.
