Iran ready for military ties with Iraq

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi says the Islamic Republic is ready to expand its military and security ties with neighboring Iraq. In two separate messages to Iraqi Army Chief Lieutenant General Babakir Zebari and Acting Iraqi Defense Minister Sadun al-Dulaymi on Sunday, Firouzabadi expressed happiness about the withdrawal of US forces from the country. He stressed that that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq was the result of the determination and resistance of the Iraqi nation and government. "We (Iran) hope the US has learned a lesson from its nine-year occupation and humiliating defeat in Iraq and never thinks about attacking another country," the senior Iranian military commander said. During a meeting with the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, in Tehran on November 13, Lieutenant General Zebari called for more Tehran-Baghdad military cooperation. The Iraqi general said that Iraq is facing some security challenges, and Baghdad needs to exchange views with Iran, which is a strong country in many areas, including security. “The visit aims to develop bilateral relations, since Iran and Iraq are two friendly neighboring countries, which should have very close relations… The Islamic Republic of Iran is a capable country in many areas,” Lieutenant General Zebari added. Brigadier General Pakpour welcomed the suggestion and said that Iran will make every effort to help Iraqis build a secure and safe country.