Rasa – A senior Iranian military commander warned that Tehran would take tough and direct action in Iraq if Baghdad or other Iraqi cities which host the Shi’ites’ holy shrines come under attack by the terrorists.
“Baghdad, the holy shrines and the shrines of Shi’ite Imams are surely all among the Islamic Republic’s redlines,” the head of the ranks-and-files and joint affairs of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Mohammad Baqeri, said in an interview with Defa’ (Defense) Press on Saturday, reiterating that Tehran has not taken any direct military action in Iraq so far.
He warned that if the mentioned cities and holy shrines are threatened, “the Islamic Republic will take direct action” to kill the terrorists and destroy their headquarters.
Assuring the friendly states, including Iraq, that Tehran will help and support them until final victory, Baqeri said if the interests of Iran’s friends and allies are threatened, the country will support and provide them with necessary trainings to confront any danger.
Speaking in an interview with the American CNN television in September, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also said in similar remarks that Iran will resort to any possible means to protect the holy sites in Iraq, including those in Karbala and Najaf, and the country’s capital city of Baghdad from the terrorist attacks.
Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, during the 2003 US invasion of the Muslim country.
Earlier this month, Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Brigadier-General Esmail Qa’ani said Baghdad remained untouched by ISIL terrorist group due to Iran’s support and assistance.
“The ISIL terrorists sought to surround Baghdad but they failed in reaching their ominous goals thanks to Iran’s supports,” Qa’ani said in North Khorasan province.
Noting that the ISIL terrorists had been left with no more command center and were searching for new shelters, he said ISIL was becoming weaker and weaker day by day and was being annihilated.
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