Iran Press/Iran news: According to Iran Press quoting the Leader's official website (http://english.khamenei.ir), at this meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out to the ideological, cultural and historical convergence among the Iranian and Iraqi nations and stressed: "The relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq is beyond simple ties between two neighboring countries and the Iranian nation and state consider the progress and prosperity of the Iraqi nation as part of their own interests."
The Leader added: "However, US officials—contrary to their verbal remarks—consider democracy in Iraq and the current assembly of Iraqi political activists as detrimental to themselves. Therefore the Iraqi government should take action so that US troops will leave Iraq as soon as possible."
Appreciating the wise and plausible positions taken by prime minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi with respect to various matters in Iraq and the wider region, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to human capacities of Iraq and said: "Among [numerous] human resources of Iraq are its youth who proved their potentials in countering the ISIS sedition, and that was a historic achievement."
Iraqi scientists and scholars, a real asset
Ayatollah Khamenei also called the scientists and scholars of Iraq as another asset for the country and went on to say: "In the early years of its presence in Iraq, the US assassinated many of Iraq's scientists; because they understood the importance of this valuable asset."
Emphasizing on the fact that human assets and rich mineral resources in Iraq will make this country the most influential country of the Arab world, Ayatollah Khamenei stated: "US officials and their cohorts in the region are against the current democratic establishment in Iraq, as well as other senior Iraqi officials and personalities and regard them as working against America's interests."
Stressing that if the Iraqi government and officials followed the US, the US would have no problems with Iraq, he added: "The current government and parliament in Iraq and the political figures are not what the US desires; as a result, they are plotting to remove them from the political scene."
US and Saudi words contradict their actions and intentions
The Leader mentioned that what the US and Saudi officials say in words about Iraq contradict their real intentions and actions. The Leader pointed out that when ISIS terrorists occupied Mosul, they provided the terrorists with money, arms, and equipment; and now that Iraq has defeated ISIS, they pretend they seek friendship with Iraq.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the remarks of the Iraqi Prime Minister about the remnants of ISIS in Iraq and said: "Comprehensive awareness is required; because if they notice the slightest weakness in the Iraqi government and nation, they will start to commit crimes again."
US military presence in region harmful
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution regarded the US’s military presence in regional countries as detrimental to the countries concerned, and told Iraq's Prime Minister: “You should take necessary measures so that the US will withdraw its troops from Iraq as soon as possible; because in any country where US maintains an enduring military presence, the process of expelling them becomes much more complicated and problematic.
The Leader asserted that the US’s goals go beyond mere military presence, and said: "They seek long-term presence and interests as well as forming a government like the military states that were created during the early times of the occupation of Iraq."
Iraq's scientific progress means security
Ayatollah Khamenei went on to refer to the influence of scientific advances on Iraq’s development and added: "Based on experience, I believe scientific progress in Iraq will pave the ground for permanent security in various areas."
While meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Iraqi Prime Minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, expressed his gratitude for this meeting and said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood alongside the Iraqi government and nation at times of difficulty, the most recent example being Iraq’s victory over ISIS terrorists which was realized with the full support of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Despite ISIS defeat, remnants still remain in Iraq
The Prime Minister of Iraq stressed that despite defeating ISIS, its elements are still present in Iraq and added: "Nevertheless, today the Iraqi people live in a secure and stable situation."
Referring to President Hassan Rouhani’s recent trip to Baghdad as well as today’s meetings in Tehran, Abdul-Mahdi proclaimed: "As a result of the negotiations, we have reached good agreements [with our Iranian counterparts] for building railways, establishing industrial parks, developing commercial relations, transportation, and dredging the Arvand Roud river.
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Iran-Iraq relations special
The Iraqi Prime Minister concluded by saying: "The relation between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran is special and we have announced that we will never join the US’s sanctions against Iran."
Iraq's Prime Minister arrived in Tehran at an official invitation of President Hassan Rouhani at the head of a high-ranking political and economic delegation on Saturday morning. He was welcomed by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on arrival at Mehrabad international airport. 105/211
