Sayyed Khamenei slams US presence in Iraq in a meeting with President
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Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei brings forth the issue of American presence in Iraq as he meets with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid as he visits Tehran to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.
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Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei meets with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid in Tehran, Iran, 29 April 2023. (@khamenei_ir/Twitter)
Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei denounced the US military presence in Iraq during a meeting he held with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid in Tehran on Saturday.
Sayyed Khamenei stated that the presence of even one American in Iraq is one too many, he stressed that Americans are no one's "friend", as they have even betrayed their European allies.
The Iranian leader highlighted the unbreakable bond between the two countries, adding that foreign interference cannot split the two neighbors apart.
He pointed to the "unity" enjoyed by the two countries which manifests itself in the hospitality that Iraqi citizens exercise towards Iranian pilgrims during their annual 'Arbaeen' march.
"The expanding and deepened relations between Iran and Iraq," are facing tremendous pressure as enemies of both states are set on pushing the two countries apart. Sayyed Khamenei pointed to the strong historical and religious ties between the two countries, which have allowed them to avoid possible deterioration in the face of foreign pressure.
The Leader said in his meeting with President Rashid that "progress, prosperity, independence, and elevation" of Iraq's struggle are of extreme importance to the Islamic Republic, emphasizing the vitality of putting into action existing agreements between the two neighbors.
"The expansion of bilateral cooperation and the implementation of agreements are beneficial for both countries," the Leader added.
Iran and Iraq have signed a number of cooperation agreements, focused on trade, the transit of goods, and a rail project.
Last month, Iran and Iraq agreed to a security and defense memorandum that centers around promoting border security with Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, where armed groups have posed a considerable threat to Tehran.
The Iraqi President heads a delegation of high-ranking officials as he visits neighboring Iran for the first since taking office in October 2022.
President Rashid met with his Iranian counterpart President Ebrahim Raisi, where he indicated that his visit to Iran comes in an attempt to bring to light the strength of Iran-Iraq ties, especially those that originate from a historical and geographical nature.
Rashid said the Iraqi people will not forget the stance of the Islamic Republic when Iraq suffered from the oppression of the dictatorship.
The Iraqi President highlighted that the relations between Iraq and Iran were coherent and getting stronger, stressing the importance of boosting these relations through coordination and continuous cooperation at all levels.
