Iran considers presence of American armed forces detrimental to regional security, stability: President Rouhani

Speaking in a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Dr. Hassan Rouhani said that today, we consider the unity among Shiites and interaction among different groups, including Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds in the country an important principle, adding, “We stand with the government and people of Iraq to contribute to the unity and cohesion of Iraq”.

We have always made our views clear and unequivocal in our political positions, he said, adding, “We consider the presence of American armed forces in the region, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Persian Gulf’s southern countries, detrimental to regional security and stability”.

Emphasizing that trying to get the United States out of the region is not only our responsibility, but that of any country in which the Americans are present, Dr. Rouhani said, “We consider what the Iraqi parliament and its representatives have approved in this regard a positive step, which is respected by the Iraqi people, and supported by us”.

We have never sought to interfere in the internal affairs of Iraq and the relations among Iraqi groups, he said, adding, “We have always believed that Iraqi groups should have good relations for the preservation and development of their country”.

Emphasizing the development and deepening of relations between the two countries in various political, cultural and especially economic fields, Dr. Rouhani stressed the need to accelerate the implementation and operation of the agreements between the two countries, which were emphasized during the visit of Iranian and Iraqi officials.

“As officials of the two countries, we have a duty to strengthen the foundations for the development and deepening of relations in the future,” the president said.

Stating that we are still committed to the development and deepening of political, economic and cultural cooperation between the two nations, Dr. Rouhani expressed hope that with the visit of the Iraqi Foreign Minister to Tehran will bring about a good momentum in the implementation of agreements between the two countries.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein conveyed the warm greetings of the President and Prime Minister of his country to President Rouhani and thanked Iran for its assistance to the Iraqi government and people at various junctures and said, “We appreciate the Islamic Republic of Iran for supporting the Iraqi people and government from the first day”.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister described the purpose of his visit as working to further develop and deepen relations between the two countries, as well as to prepare the ground for the implementation of the agreements between the two countries, including on border cooperation, transportation, and preparing Arvandrud for trade cooperation between the two countries.

Fuad Hussein said, “As emphasized by the Prime Minister, a special committee has been appointed to conduct negotiations and prepare the ground for the implementation of the agreements between the two countries, whose members will travel to Iran in the coming weeks”.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister stressed the need to develop cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and cultural fields, stating that we should try to implement all previous agreements of the two countries step by step.