Iran-Iraq To Review Defense Ties

Tehran, Oct 3, IRNA – Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Wednesday that he is to exchange views with the Iraqi officials on avenues to bolster bilateral defense cooperation. Vahidi made the remarks while talking to reporters upon arrival in Baghdad, Iraq. Referring to the objectives of his Baghdad visit, the minister said the latest regional and international developments will be also discussed by the two sides. Vahidi, who is in Baghdad at the official invitation of his Iraqi counterpart Sadun al-Dulaymi, expressed hope that his visit would lead to increase in the level of bilateral cooperation and strengthen regional peace and stability. The Iranian defense minister said Tehran attaches great importance to its relations with Baghdad. The two countries, he added, enjoy great potentials to increase bilateral cooperation to the highest level. This is the first visit to Iraq of Iran's defense minister following the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution./end