Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the withdrawal of US military forces from Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base will strengthen Iraq’s national sovereignty.
– Araghchi was speaking on Sunday during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, following their meeting in Tehran, where the two sides discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.
– “The withdrawal of US military forces from the Ain al-Asad base and the end of the UNAMI mission are clear indications of the consolidation of independence, stability, and national sovereignty in Iraq,” Araghchi said.
– “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always sought a strong and independent Iraq and believes that the country has the necessary capacities to play a key role in regional peace and stability.”
– “The regional role of Iraq is on an upward trajectory, and our Iraqi friends have shown that they can play a positive role in dialogue and resolving problems,” he said.
– Araghchi also said Iran and Iraq were seeking to reach a “strategic cooperation agreement,” reiterating that Tehran supports “a stable Iraq with independent political sovereignty.”
– Hussein said security in Iraq and Iran was inseparable from the security of the wider region.
– The security of the Iranian people is important to us, just as the security of the region is important,” he said.
– Iran and Iraq agreed on the “indivisibility of regional security,” the need for non-interference in internal affairs, and the continuation of consultations to address regional challenges, he added.