Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran does its utmost to promote security and stability in Iraq.
He made the remarks in a meeting with UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Iraq Nicolay Mladenov in Tehran, ISNA reported on Monday.
Zarif described the relations between Iran and Iraq as "strategic" and said, "The stability, security, and development of Iraq are a high priority for Iran and we spare no effort in this regard."
The foreign minister referred to the effective role the United Nations can play in addressing the crises in Syria and Iraq and stressed the need for the UN to precisely identify the factors influencing the situation in the two crisis-hit Arab states.
The top diplomat underlined the necessity of consistent cooperation and consultations between regional states to address the challenges facing Iraq and counter the threat of terrorism in the country and region, emphasizing, "Any country which intends to help improve the situation in Iraq should first consider the realities in the country and stop advocating terrorist takfiri groups." A takfiri is a Muslim who accuses another Muslim of being an unbeliever. Referring to the upcoming international conference on "World Against Violence and Extremism" which is schedule to be held in Tehran on December 9-10, he said prominent political figures from the region and the world will attend the meeting.
The UN envoy, for his part, referred to the "difficult" and "complicated" circumstances in Iraq, particularly the humanitarian catastrophe which is occurring along the border between Iraq and Syria, and called for cooperation between regional states and key international players in the combat against terrorism.
Mladenov said the UN is prepared to play a more effective part in this relation. He also praised Iran for its assistance to the government and people of Iraq during the hard times in the country and called on regional states and the international community to develop a more constructive and effective interaction with Iraq to help it weather the current critical conditions.
US Seeks to Redeploy Forces
In a separate meeting on Sunday, Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held talks with Mladenov on regional developments. The senior foreign ministry official referred to the poor performance of the US forces in the campaign against terrorist groups, particularly the self-declared Islamic State (IS), and said, "The US actions to combat the IS terrorist group are highly suspicious, since (it seems) they are seeking to redeploy their military forces in Iraq, rather than focus on fighting the IS," IRNA reported.
He also touched on the significant role the UN can play to help bring stability and development to Iraq and called for greater efforts in this relation.
The diplomat said Iran supports the constructive actions of the UN in Iraq. Criticizing the contradictory approach of the US toward the situation in Iraq and Syria, he said, "We believe the solution in the battle against terrorism lies in addressing the real roots of the phenomenon, reinforcing the government and army in Iraq and recognizing the role of the Iraqi volunteer forces in the anti-terror campaign."
Mladenov, for his part, said all Iraqi political groups with various persuasions should act based on the constitution to help resolve the current political crisis in the country. The UN envoy said along this line, new Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is trying to involve all political and religious groups in Iraq's affairs.
Iraq Insecurity Threatens Regional Peace
Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani also met with Mladenov in Tehran on Monday.
The senior lawmaker highlighted Iran's efforts to help promote security and lasting peace in Iraq and said, "Lack of security in Iraq will put the security of the whole region into jeopardy, and Iran spares no effort to bring security and calm to Iraq," IRNA reported.
He described economic and social challenges as the major reason for the spread of insecurity in Iraq and noted, "Combating poverty and joblessness along with engaging all political groups in the new Iraqi government can help ensure security and development in Iraq; and the UN has a great responsibility to undertake in this regard."
