Iraq keen on cooperation with Iran in campaign against terrorism

Tehran, Dec 31, IRNA – Visiting Iraqi Minister of Defence Khaled al-Obeidi on Tuesday called on both Tehran and Baghdad to boost cooperation to be able to more efficiently counter terrorism. Al-Obeidi made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier-General Hossein Dehqan. The visit to Tehran is being made in line with the Iraqi governmentˈs decision to promote relations with neighboring and regional countries, al-Oeidi said, adding that Baghdad believes Iraqˈs security affects the security of all regional countries. Al-Obeidi said he hoped the visit will be the prelude to further enhancement of joint cooperation between the two neighboring countries. The Iranian defense minister, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the presence of his Iraqi counterpart in Tehran in the critical situation overwhelming the region. Dehqan blamed the regional crises on the US and the Zionist regime, saying, the Takfiri terrorist groups are in fact rented terrorists seeking to satisfy US interests and protect the Israeli security. He reaffirmed Iranˈs readiness to provide support for the Iraqi government in its campaign against terrorism and said Tehran believes that the Iraqi nation and army alongside the countryˈs religious leadership are able to overcome the problems./end