tasnim - At a meeting with the visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the US opposition to the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units, also known as Hashd al-Sha’bi, and stated that Washington is seeking to deprive Iraq from its key element of strength.
Ayatollah Khamenei also hailed the unity and coherence among all Iraqi political and faith movements in their fight against ISIS terrorist group.
“In no way trust the Americans because they are waiting to gain an opportunity to strike their blow,” Khamenei stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei then warned that any division and rift in Iraq would provide the opportunity for the US to harm Iraq.
“The chance should not be given to them (the Americans) and also the presence of US forces in Iraq under the pretext of training (of Iraqi units) should be prevented.”
Ayatollah Khamenei further emphasized that the US and some of its allies in the region do not seek the destruction and eradication of ISIS as the terrorist group has been created through their support and money.
Elsewhere, Imam Khamenei reiterated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support for Iraq’s territorial integrity, adding that Tehran is against certain murmurs about the holding of a referendum for the separation of a region of Iraq.
At the meeting, also attended by Iran's First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri, Abadi praised Tehran’s support for Baghdad in the fight against ISIS and said his visit to Tehran is aimed at further expansion of the two countries’ ties in different fields.
He said all Iraqi political and sectarian factions are now united in the fight against ISIS.