Envoy Denies Iran's Military Presence in Iraq

Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi reiterated on Tuesday that Tehran does not have any kind of military presence in Iraq, and reminded that the US continues its military stay even now that terrorists have been defeated from the Arab country.

News ID: 442686

Date: 27 December 2018 - 23:16

RNA - Masjedi, addressing reporters in Baghdad, said that all Iranian military advisers who had come to Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government to help with the fight against ISIL terrorists have returned home after the victory against the terrorist group was declared last year.

Unlike Iran, the US has maintained its military presence in the region despite the defeat of the ISIL, he reminded.

Asked to comment about the reasons behind the US decision to pull out its troops from Syria, the ambassador said the US military presence in Syria had cost Washington a great deal of money and losses, whereas these foreign troops lack any popularity among people, which has been a cause for great concern for the Americans.

He maintained that the reason for the US’ decision to withdraw troops from Syria was because of these concerns.

Iran and Iraq enjoy very close ties in the post-Saddam era and early in September, Advisor to the Iranian Parliament Speaker Hossein Amir Abdollahian underlined that Tehran and Baghdad enjoy strategic relations.

In a related front, earlier in October, President Salih voiced his country's willingness to broaden bilateral relations with Iran in different fields, and said it is in Baghdad's best interests to have friendly and stable ties with Iran.

"Iran is a neighboring country and our interest lies in having good and stable relations with Iran,” Barham Salih told reporters during a visit to Kuwait.

Iran is currently Iraq's top trade partner, with an annual turnover standing at about $12 billion.

Foodstuff, livestock, construction materials and plastic products constitute the bulk of Iran’s exports to Iraq where Iranian vehicles and food data-x-items are a ubiquitous sight.

Iran and Iraq have also been exchanging oil through a swap deal under which crude from the Kirkuk field in northern Iraq is shipped by truck to Iran, which uses it in its refineries and delivers the same amount of oil to Iraq’s southern ports.

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