Iraqi President:

Iran the First Country to Support Iraq Against Terrorists

Rasa - "Iran was the first country that backed up Iraq against the terrorists' invasion at a time when we needed possibilities to fight the terrorists," President Massoum said in a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in Baghdad on Wednesday.

News ID: 1892

Date: 25 December 2014 - 11:52

RNA - During the meeting in Baghdad, Massoum stressed the necessity for the expansion and strengthening of the relations between Iran and Iraq in all fields, and called for continued meetings between the two countries' high-ranking officials to confer on ways to settle the regional problems, FNA reported.

Last month, the Iraqi president in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danayeefar appreciated Tehran for its key role and assistance to Iraq in the war on terrorist groups.

Danayeefar, for his part, congratulated the Iraqi people and government for their recent giant victories against the ISIL terrorist group, and underlined Iran's continued support for its Muslim neighbor.

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. The two neighbors have further strengthened their military ties following a surge in terrorist attacks against Iraq.

Speaking in an interview with the American CNN television in September, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said 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.

Also, in November, Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Brigadier General Esmayeel 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 Khorassan 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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