Iraq's Security, Integrity Key to Mideast Stability

A senior Iranian official said any threat to Iraq's security and territorial integrity will affect the entire Middle East, stressing that the Islamic Republic opposes Iraq's partition and any interference in its internal affairs.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Sunday after a meeting with Jan Kubis, the UN special representative for Iraq, Ali Akbar Velayati, the senior adviser to Leader of Islamic Revolution on international affairs, said the two sides discussed ways of reinforcing Iraq's territorial integrity and national sovereignty, Press TV reported.

He said any measure to combat terrorism in Iraq must be carried out under the supervision of the United Nations.

The official emphasized that the Islamic Republic and the UN oppose the meddling of any country in the internal affairs of Iraq or any other state without their request.

Velayati said Tehran supports the legitimate and popular government in Iraq and maintains cordial relations with the Arab country.

Tehran has supported the anti-terrorism campaigns of both Iraq and Syria at the request of their governments and would continue to support them.

"Iran's security hinges on the security of its neighboring states," he said, stressing that the Islamic Republic cannot remain indifferent to insecurity in its neighboring countries.

Velayati added that the US has always pursued hostile policies against the Iraqi people who "did not invite the Americans to come to their country."

During the meeting with Velayati, the UN envoy said the Iraqi government and nation have made great efforts to fight terrorism.

Kubis added that the Iraqi people would make further efforts to develop their country after the elimination of the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since IS terrorists began an offensive in Iraqi territory in June 2014.