Iran, Iraq Ink Security Cooperation Agreement

The agreement was signed between Rahmani Fazli and al-Araji to expand bilateral ties on boosting border security and control as well as safety of pilgrims.

The two sides also discussed regional developments

The Iranian interior minister said that Tehran and Baghdad can increase their cooperation to fight terrorism and extremism in the region.

In relevant remarks on Sunday, al-Araji appreciated Iran for helping the Baghdad government in the ongoing fight against the ISIL terrorist group.

"Iran had a great share in recent victories of the Iraqi government; Iraq is indebted to Iran’s unsparing assistance in this respect," al-Araji said in a meeting with Iranian Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari in Tehran.

The Iraqi interior minister reiterated the need for expanding relations with Iran, and said, "We are very thankful of Iran for its good ties with Iraq over the past years."

Al-Araji pointed to the establishment of committees to campaign human and drug trafficking, and said, "We believe such a committee should be set up soon so as to find solutions to the issues, including organized crimes."

In relevant remarks in late July, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani warned that plots against Iraq's territorial integrity will pave the ground for insecurity and instability in the country.

"The separatist approaches can prepare the ground for increased greed in enemies and stir insecurity and instability in the country in future," Shamkhani said in a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Irfan al-Hayali in Tehran.

He also underscored Iran's continued support for the Iraqi people and Armed Forces to establish full security, remove the danger of terrorist groups and reconstruct and develop the country's cities.

Al-Hayali, for his part, appreciated Iran's generous support for Iraq in the fight against terrorism, and said, "The Iraqi army confronts any aggression and occupation of the country's soil independently and relying on the experience that it has gained in recent years and will not allow the start of a new plot by the Takfiri terrorists and their foreign supporters who are after disintegration of Iraq."