Velayati: Iran to confront attempts to split regional countries

Tehran, Nov 15, IRNA – Head of Expediency Council Center for Strategic Research Ali Akbar Velayati said Iran is absolutely against any attempts to disband regional countries. In a meeting with the former French minister of defense Herve Morin here on Tuesday, he said given the present sensitive situation in the Middle East, Iran will confront all moves which could harm the region. He described Iraq as a country with high capacities which could become the most powerful Arab country and due to the long borderlines the two countries share, Iran and Iraq are determined to increase cooperation to the interest of peace and stability of the region. Noting that about three million Iranians are visiting Iraq for Arbaeen rituals, the official believed this indicated the depth of ties between the two countries which encourages Baghdad to invite Tehran to get involved in anti-terrorism fight in the country. He further reiterated Iran’s interest in Iraq’s national sovereignty and said Iran’s advisory presence in Iraq is upon the request of Iraqi officials. He said democracy in Iraq was quite unrivaled among Arab states, adding that Iran will harshly deal with tendencies to ignore past agreements between the two countries. Pointing to long-standing relations between Iran and France, Velayati said strategic dialogue could help further develop relations. 1378/IRNA