Larijani: Strategic Iran-Iraq cooperation must become more tangible
Senior Iraqi cleric says 12-day war enhanced Iran’s power in region
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, met with Iraqi cleric and political figure Ammar al-Hakim on Saturday, calling Iraq a “friendly, like-minded and strong country” in the region.
He called Iran-Iraq cooperation “strategic”, stressing that, in today’s dynamic circumstances, such cooperation must take on a more tangible form.
Hakim, for his part, pointed to Israel’s June war against Iran, saying contrary to the regime’s intentions, the conflict strengthened Iran’s standing in the region, with Muslims praising Tehran’s powerful role.
He added that Israel’s “malicious behavior” in pursuit of its so-called “Greater Israel” theory has vindicated Iran’s longstanding position in branding the regime a “cancerous tumor,” adding that the entire region has now grown sensitive to the regime’s adventurism.
Hakim arrived in Tehran late Friday for meetings with senior Iranian officials. Upon arrival, he visited the mausoleum of the late Imam Khomeini to pay his respects to the founder of the Islamic Republic, and also met with Hassan Khomeini, the custodian of the shrine.
He said in the meeting that Shiite and Sunni Muslims alike express solidarity with Iran, emphasizing that Muslims supported any country that defended itself against Israel.
Hakim described Iran as the frontline bastion of the Islamic world, noting that regional states have recognized that if Iran were weakened in its fight against Israel, the entire region would suffer.
In a separate meeting with Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, Hakim said relations between Iran and Iraq went beyond those of two ordinary neighbors, and offered his assessment of the political and social climate in Iraq.
Ejei underlined the strong ties between Tehran and Baghdad, saying recent regional developments showed that enemies opposed the empowerment of Muslims.
He stressed Iran’s neighbor-first policy, adding that Iraq held a special place given the many commonalities between the two nations. “We do not seek confrontation with any of our neighbors, even those aligned with our enemies—except in cases where they openly act in line with hostile plots against us,” he said.