Iran, Iraq share ‘very close’ stance on Gaza war: Top general
Iran’s top military commander said Iran and Iraq pursue a “very close” stance on the Palestinian issue, particularly the ongoing Israeli large-scale war on the Gaza Strip.
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri made the announcement in a meeting in Baghdad on Sunday with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed al-Abbasi, Press TV reported. Baqeri said the common stances of the Iranian and Iraqi governments, nations and religious authorities on leading regional and international developments are very important.
He highlighted Iraq’s high position in Iran’s foreign and defense policies, saying Tehran and Baghdad need to strengthen security and defense cooperation, given the current situation of the two countries and the region.
Pointing to the great achievements of the Iranian Armed Forces in tactical, strategic and technical spheres, the top general expressed the country’s readiness to share its knowledge, experiences and capabilities with Iraq.
Baqeri also said the Iranian Armed Forces are prepared to stage bilateral or multilateral naval rescue and relief drills in the Persian Gulf.
The Iraqi defense chief, for his part, said his country’s people, with different political views, feel bound to stand with the Palestinian people in the face of the Israeli regime.
In a meeting with Iraqi Minister of Interior Abdul Amir al-Shammari on Sunday, Baqeri hailed the measures taken by the Iraqi government to control border areas between the two neighboring states.
He noted that joint activities of the two countries’ border guards can help establish full security along the borders.
He added that 1,500 kilometers of common border between Iran and Iraq “should be the border of friendship, trade and safe tourism.”