Iran's presence in Iraq on Baghdad government request: spokesman

Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi stressed that his country’s presence in Iraq was at the request of the Iraqi government to help that country in fighting the Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist groups.

“Thankfully due to struggles of the Iraqi government and people and Iran's help, the conditions of Iraq have experienced serious transformation that resulted in the liberation of Iraqi land and the expulsion of terrorists from that country,” Qasemi said.

According to IRNA he reiterated that there was a feeling that there was no need for Iran's presence in Iraq at the present time, and as we were there at the request of the Iraqi government with a specific purpose, we felt in a new situation that there was no need for us to be present in Iraq and that the Iraqi military could confront the terrorists.

The spokesman also noted, “If conditions change and again the Iraqi government needs Iran's consultative help, we will certainly help the Iraqi people and government, given the kind of relations we have with the country and the positions we have had on terrorism, security and stability.”

Reporter’s code: 50101

Previous and next articles

How the US exit has triggered a new scramble for influence in Syria / Amberin Zaman

Trump will protect Kurds in Syria, give Turkey buffer zone: U.S. senator