Rouhani Calls US Army "Arab States' Mercenary"

Rasa - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani blasted his US counterpart Donald Trump for blackmailing Arab states through intimidating them from Iran, saying Trump's offer for the paid deployment of the US troops in the region means that the US army means to be a mercenary force.

News ID: 437354

Date: 25 April 2018 - 22:28

RNA - "You clearly say that your decision to stay and leave depends on others' money; therefore, you are mercenaries of others. Therefore, your army and Armed Forces are after resources to steal and eat. Does this bring you prestige? (You say that) if they pay you, then you will remain in Syria and if they don't, you will leave. (You say that) if you are not here, they will not survive for more than one week. Why can't they survive? We are the guardians of Iraq. The Iraqi nation (itself) is the guardian of Iraq," President Rouhani said, addressing the inauguration of international Tabriz 2018 event in the Northeastern province of East Azarbaijan on Wednesday.

He even underlined Iran's preparedness to protect Saudi Arabia, and said, "The Saudi nation is the guardian of Saudi Arabia. We are ready to help the regional people. Why (do you say that) the region will be annihilated? Incidentally, if you leave forever, full security will be established in the region."

President Rouhani referred to the different wars launched by the US and its allies in the regional states, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, in the past decades, asking the US officials to explain about their claims of bringing security to the region.

According to Fars News Agancy, in relevant remarks on Saturday, Rouhani in a message to his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad underlined his country's continued support for Damascus in the fight against terrorist groups and efforts to reconstruct the war-hit country.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will remain beside the Syrian government and nation in this (anti-terrorism) fight and will continue its assistance until annihilation of all evil forces and the return of security and stability to the entire Arab Republic of Syria," President Rouhani said in the message on the occasion of the Independence Day in Syria.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to stand beside you with all its possibilities to reconstruct Syria as it has been beside the Syrian nation in the fight and confrontation against terrorism," he added.

847/940