Alwaght | News & Analysis Website

Alwaght- The Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution has underscored the necessity of safeguarding national unity in Iraq to thwart US plots aimed at partitioning the country.
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqi President Fuad Masum and his accompanying delegation in Tehran on Tuesday.
 “The Iraqi nation is a big nation with an ancient history, which enjoys the very significant potential of strong and vigilant youth, and this potential must be taken advantage of in order to take Iraq to its deserved position.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The Iraqi nation is a big nation with an ancient history, which enjoys the very significant potential of strong and vigilant youth, and this potential must be taken advantage of in order to take Iraq to its deserved position.”
The Leader described the relations between the two countries and the two nations of Iran and Iraq as deep-rooted, historical, beyond ordinary relations between neighborly countries, and not restricted to a region.
Describing as a strange phenomenon the brotherly, intimate and affectionate relations between the two nations of Iran and Iraq, despite eight years of war that was imposed by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein at the instigation of foreign governments, Ayatollah Khamenei added: “The [huge] rally [planned] to mark Arbaeen [the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shiite Imam] is an example of these friendly relations, so that, the Iraqi people are not withholding anything in assistance and kindness and sincerity in welcoming Iranian pilgrims.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution noted: “Officials in both countries of Iran and Iraq must make the best use of this atmosphere and opportunity in the best interests of the two countries.”

Ayatollah Khamenei expressed satisfaction with the recent advances [against terrorist groups] in Iraq and [the Iraqi army’s] relative upper-hand against the ISIS (Daesh) sedition, and while underlining the necessity of protecting the existing unity in Iraq, added: “In the structure of the Iraqi government, the president enjoys a special position and he can play an effective role in narrowing differences and boosting unity.”

Pointing to efforts made by certain foreign parties to cause division in Iraq, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “The Iraqi people, including Shiite and Sunni and Kurd and Arab, have lived alongside one another for centuries without any problem, but unfortunately, some regional countries as well as some foreigners are seeking to magnify the differences, which [these attempts] must be countered and any pretext that would pave the ground for [the escalation of] differences must be averted.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the emergence of differences and their spread into the public sphere in Iraq would clear the way for meddlesome remarks by foreigners, adding: “The atmosphere should not be such that the Americans would dare speak openly about the partitioning of Iraq.”

“Why should a country like Iraq, which is a big and wealthy country with millennium-old history, be partitioned and divided into smaller regions so that it would be exposed to [escalation of] differences and [subsequent] disputes forever?” asked Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Definitely, the Iraqi officials will regulate foreign relations with other countries, including America, on the basis of the expediency and interests of people in this country, but the Americans should not be allowed to view Iraq like their personal property and make just any remarks and take just any action.”  

Noting that today Iraq is completely different from what it was in the past owing to its great nation as well as its capable and vigilant youths, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The Iraqi youths have woken up now and have realized their strength and capability and such youths will definitely not bow to America’s hegemony.”

Ayatollah Khamenei further stated that volunteer popular forces of Iraq, who are fighting against ISIS (Daesh), are clear manifestation of the awakening and strength of Iraqi youth, adding: “The potential and capabilities of the Iraqi youths must be taken advantage of more than before in order for this country to achieve its deserved position.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s all-out readiness for sharing its scientific, technological, defense and service-providing experiences and capabilities with Iraq, adding: “Efforts must be made to further raise the level of economic cooperation between the two countries.”

During this meeting, which was also attended by Iranian First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, the Iraqi president expressed delight over his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei. Fuad Masum pointed to the standing and influence of Ayatollah Khamenei’s words on the Iraqi people and officials in his capacity as a theologian and a great religious source of emulation, noting: “His Excellency’s recommendations on safeguarding unity and avoiding differences in Iraq will definitely be effective.”

Offering gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for its assistance to Iraq, particularly under very tough conditions following ISIS (Daesh) attack on the country, and referring to historical, religious and cultural commonalities between the two nations of Iraq and Iran, the Iraqi president said: “We want further expansion of relations between the two countries and [also want] to take advantage of Iran’s experiences and capabilities in different fields.”

Masum assessed the general conditions in Iraq as well as internal cohesion and coordination in the country as better than before, adding: “In confrontation with ISIS (Daesh), many breakthroughs have been achieved and coordination among the [Iraqi] army, volunteer forces and Kurdish Peshmerga [forces] has paved the way for heavy blows to be dealt to ISIS (Daesh).”