Iraq Reassured of Sustainable Support

Defense Minister Amir Hatami pledged Iran’s sustained support for neighboring Iraq after it assisted the Arab country in driving out the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group.

“The Islamic Republic follows a policy based on aid and assistance to the Iraqi people and government under any conditions,” Hatami said in a meeting with Iraqi Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji in Baghdad on Thursday, IRNA reported.

“After the defeat of Daesh [Arabic acronym for the IS], Iran’s priority is to help with Iraq’s reconstruction,” he noted.

Araji called for expanding cooperation between the two militaries and defense sectors, describing it as a contributing factor to Iraq’s national security and development.  “We are keen on using Iran’s experience in all areas of mutual interest,” he said. Iran provided critical support to the forces that fought alongside the Iraqi army against IS militants, who captured large swathes of the war-ravaged Arab country and neighboring Syria in a 2014 lightning attack. The Baghdad government declared the end of the terror group in November.