Iran Determined to Stand by Iraq against Terrorism
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iranian military commander said Iran will stand by Iraq in its efforts to get rid of terrorism.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, based on its Islamic and human duty, will do its best to help “remove terrorism from this Islamic and neighboring country”, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri said in an interview with Al-Alam News Network on Thursday.
He underlined that the Iraqi government, people and armed forces are capable of ridding their country of terrorists and establishing security and peace in Iraq.
The high-ranking commander referred to the troubles caused by the Americans and their allies, including some European and Arab countries, as the reason for the delay in liberating all areas from terrorist control.
General Jazayeri also ruled out cooperation with the US in the region.
His comments came after the US defense department claimed on Tuesday that Iranian fighter jets attacked ISIL militants in eastern Iraq in recent days.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman reiterated on Wednesday that nothing has changed about Tehran’s policy of providing military assistance based on international regulations.
Iran has said, on numerous occasions, that it does not engage in military acts in Iraq, but only provides advice to the Baghdad government in the fight against militants.
The ISIL terrorists control large parts of Syria’s east and north. The ISIL also sent its Takfiri militants into Iraq in June, seizing large swathes of land straddling the border between Syria and Iraq.
The extremist group has threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians during its advances in Iraq.