The Iraqi leader noted that the two countries “had fought too much before”.
Iraq and Iran have fought a lot in the past and must continue to have good relations. This was stated by Iraqi President Barham Saleh on Wednesday, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos. His speech was broadcasted on the event website.
“Iraq and Iran are neighbors. And not a single Iraqi wants to return to a state of conflict or war with Iran. We’ve fought too much before”, – Saleh said, answering a question about the likelihood of a surge in Iranian influence in Iraq after a possible withdrawal of foreign troops, including American ones.
“Iraq and Iran must maintain good relations that suit both countries equally”, – he said.
“Any attempt to undermine Iraqi sovereignty is not working. The Iraqis are a proud nation. Iraq is not accepting anything that can diminish full independence and full sovereignty. Iraqis want to have good relations with Iranians and they don’t want to return to conflict with Iran”, – Saleh said.
Al-Quds Special Forces Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, Iran’s elite units) Kasem Suleimani, who was killed January 3 after a U.S. missile strike near Baghdad airport, said, was “an icon for Iran and the Iranian national security system. “Kasem Suleimani waged war with the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (IG, banned in Russia) together with Iraqi forces on Iraqi territory”, – the president added.
“Iran is a major geopolitical player and important country in its region. Iran is our neighbor and we should be in dialogue. There is no other choice”, – Saleh summed up.
“The situation in the region remains unstable and dangerous. We are concerned about that. Iraq is very weak and very fragile. It is not easy to achieve the stability we need after so many years of conflict with the JI”, – Saleh also stressed.
“We also see the situation in Syria, including in the Idlib area. This is a very dangerous moment. And the Middle East does not need a new conflict”, – the Iraqi president added.
“In a frank discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump today, I told him that we need to contain, calm the situation. This is not the time for another conflict. And almost all other forces in the region also want to reduce tensions and calm the situation”, – he said.