Iran, Iraq Determined to Strengthen Ties despite Terrorist Plots


Iran, Iraq Determined to Strengthen Ties despite Terrorist Plots

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iraqi politician said on Monday terrorist incidents, like the Friday one that killed 20 Iranians near Baghdad, would fail to derail bilateral ties as officials in both Iran and Iraq are determined to push relations to new levels despite all odds.

In a Monday meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran, Head of the Iraqi National Alliance Ibrahim al-Jafari condemned a deadly terrorist attack in his country that took the lives of 20 Iranian workers on Friday, saying such activities cannot affect the comprehensive ties between the two neighbors.

“Such inhuman and terrorist measures would fail to undermine the development and strengthening of all-out relations between the two Muslim countries, and could only intensify the two countries’ resolve and determination to strengthen their cooperation at bilateral, regional and international levels,” Jafari told the Iranian minister.

Zarif, for his part, voiced concern about the deadly incident, and added, “This terrorist action is indeed an ominous move against the two countries, and (against) the whole regional nations and countries, and highlights the necessity of collaboration and consultation among regional countries to counter the menace of terrorism.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has formed a special committee to probe into the deadly incident.

Iran's chief diplomat praised the Iraqi government’s efforts to pursue the matter, saying that both sides continue to improve ties despite such incidents. 

In a related development, President Hassan Rouhani talked with Iraqi premier on the phone on Sunday to call for tougher security measures and a united front against the menace of terrorism.

“Those who have plunged the region into crisis through arming, funding and training terrorists will eventually see their support backfiring on them," said the Iranian president in his phone talk with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki.

The Iranian president also urged the Iraqi premier to spend greater efforts to ensure the security of the Iranian contractors and companies working in Iraq.

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