Publish Date: 31 December 2014 - 15:27

TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) – Iran and Iraq’s defense ministers signed a defense memorandum of understanding Tuesday in Tehran with the aim of preserving the integrity and security of Iraq.

Under the MoU signed by Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan and his Iraqi counterpart Khalid al-Obeidi, the areas of defense cooperation between the two countries were determined.

The memorandum also highlights the continuation of mutual cooperation to form the Iraqi national army with the aim of preserving the country’s territorial integrity and security within the framework of consultation.

The two defense ministers underlined the necessity of regular visits for security consultation, asserting that terrorism is not only undermining Iraq’s security but the whole region as well, thus necessitating the continuation of military advice.

Deeming the defense MoU the starting point of bilateral cooperation, Brig. General Hossein Dehghan noted the current regional situation naturally required that Iran and Iraq enhance their defense cooperation against terrorism.

“The hegemony today is supporting terrorist groups in a widespread plot to threaten the regional security; these ‘hired’ terrorists seek to serve the interests of the US and preserve Israel's security,” said Dehghan, adding that Syria and Iraq have turned into an arena in which ISIL carries out their inhumane acts.

Iraq’s Minister of Defense arrived in Tehran on Monday Dec. 29 and met with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, as well as the Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani. During the meetings, the two sides stressed expansion of strategic ties and the continuation of Iran’s all-out support for Iraqi’s armed forces.

 

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