Shamkhani:

Iran-Iraq Close Ties Outcome of Resistance

TEHRAN (defapress) – Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani hailed the country’s close relations with neighboring Iraq and said the ties today are the outcome of resistance of the two nations and their strategic alliance.

News ID: 76162

Date: 13 March 2019 - 12:34

In a speech in Tehran on Wednesday, Shamkhani highlighted Iran’s achievements gained during the decades after the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and said the country will not content itself with these achievements.

“The fifth decade of the revolution will be one of weathering artificial problems and will include days of great and decisive victory of Iran’s brave nation and the powerful Resistance Front,” he said.

The top security official also pointed to President Hassan Rouhani’s ongoing visit to Iraq and said the close relations between Tehran and Baghdad are the outcome of “resistance and strategic alliance”.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Rouhani arrived in Baghdad on Monday at the official invitation of the Iraqi government. It is Rouhani’s first official visit to Iraq during his tenure.

Rouhani has held meetings with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohamed al-Halbousi, and many other prominent figures.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, Iran and Iraq said they discussed regional issues, common challenges, fight against terrorism and ways to promote security, stability and economic cooperation in the region in line with the interests of its nations.

According to the statement, the two sides emphasized the need for the establishment of security in the Middle East as a contributing factor to the region’s economic growth and development.

It added that Iran and Iraq also expressed their firm determination to battle terrorism and organized crimes, which pose a threat to regional security and peace, calling for collective cooperation to uproot terrorism in all political, intellectual and financial aspects.

The two sides said they held important talks in a cordial and constructive atmosphere and expressed their willingness to enhance relations in various spheres, including politics, security, economy, healthcare, trade, culture, science and technology.

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