Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Tuesday morning with Fuad Masum, the President of Iraq, and his accompanying delegation. Eshaq Jahangiri, the First Vice President of Iran, was also present in the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence reiterated that the relations between the two countries and peoples of Iran and Iraq are deep-rooted and historical and that it is beyond ordinary relations between neighboring countries that are located in close proximity to one another.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed the necessity of safeguarding national unity in Iraq, saying: “The people of Iraq are a great people who have an ancient history and who enjoy a very important capacity which is the existence of powerful and vigilant youth. Therefore, this capacity should be benefitted from in order to help Iraq reach the position that it deserves.”
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the brotherly, friendly and affectionate relations between the two peoples of Iran and Iraq despite the eight-year imposed war waged by Saddam and instigated by foreigners and described such relations as an astonishing phenomenon, further adding: “The Arbaeen-Day rallies are an example of such friendly relations during which the people of Iraq show maximum kindness and sympathy in hosting the Iranian pilgrims. The officials of the two countries of Iran and Iraq should make the most of this environment and this opportunity for the interests of the two countries.”
Expressing joy at the recent advances in Iraq and the good victory over the fitna of DAESH, he stressed the necessity of preserving the current unity in Iraq, stating: “In the structure of the Iraqi government, the president enjoys a special position and he can play an efficient role in decreasing discord and increasing unity.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution highlighted the efforts of some foreign sides to create discord in Iraq, saying: “It is many centuries now that the people of Iraq – including Shias, Sunnis, Arabs and Kurds – have been living together, but unfortunately some regional and foreign countries are after magnifying discord. This effort should be confronted and any course of action that leads to the emergence of discord should be avoided.”
Ayatollah Khamenei added that the emergence of discord and the involvement of the people of Iraq in it will prepare the ground for the interference of foreigners. He said: “Things should not develop in a way that the Americans dare to speak about the dismembering of Iraq in an open way. Why should a country like Iraq – which is a large and rich country and which enjoys a millennium-long history – be dismembered into smaller regions so much so that it is always subject to conflicts and quarrels?”
Things should not develop in a way that the Americans dare to speak about the dismembering of Iraq in an open way.
He added: “Iraqi officials will undoubtedly coordinate their relations with other countries - including America - on the basis of the interests of the Iraqi nation, but the Americans should not be allowed to consider Iraq as their personal property and to make any statement and adopt any course of action that they like.”
His Eminence reiterated that today, Iraq is completely different from what it was in the past because of its great people and its powerful and vigilant youth. He stated: “In the present time, the Iraqi youth have awakened. They have understood what power and capabilities they have. Without a doubt, such youth will not give in to American domination.”
In the present time, the Iraqi youth have awakened. Without a doubt, such youth will not give in to American domination.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the existence of the volunteer forces that fight against DAESH as a clear manifestation of Iraqi youth’s awakening and power, stressing: “The capacities and capabilities of Iraqi youth should be utilized more than the past in order to help Iraq reach the position that it deserves.”
Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the complete preparedness of the Islamic Republic of Iran to share with Iraq its scientific, technological and defensive capabilities and experiences related to public services, reiterating: “There should be an effort to increase the volume of economic cooperation between the two countries.”
Expressing joy at meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Fuad Masum also pointed to the lofty position and profound influence of Ayatollah Khamenei among the people and officials of Iraq as a great mujtahid and marja taqlid, further saying: “Your words of advice about preserving unity and avoiding discord in Iraq will undoubtedly exert influence.”
Your words of advice about preserving unity and avoiding discord in Iraq will undoubtedly exert influence. - Iraqi President
The President of Iraq thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran because of its help and support particularly during these difficult times marked by DAESH’s attacks. He also referred to the historical, religious and cultural bonds that the people of Iran and Iraq share with each other, stating: “We would like to strengthen – more than before - the relations between the two countries and to benefit from Iran’s experiences and capabilities in different areas.”
He mentioned that the general conditions of Iraq are better than the past and that Iraq enjoys more solidarity and unanimity in the present time. He stressed: “Many achievements have also been made in the area of fighting against DAESH. The coordination between the army, volunteer forces and the peshmerga has caused DAESH to receive heavy blows.”