US’ Illegitimate Presence Root Cause of Regional Insecurity – Iran’s Shamkhani

By Staff, Agencies

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani denounced the United States’ “illegitimate” presence in the region as the root cause of insecurity, calling for concerted action against Washington’s destabilizing activities.

In a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, Shamkhani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi discussed the latest political and security developments in the region, particularly the fight against terrorism and its sponsors.

Decrying the US’ evil, terrorist and destabilizing activities in the region, Shamkhani urged regional countries to make joint efforts for the immediate expulsion of the US forces to strengthen regional peace and stability.

He also praised the measures taken by the Iraqi government for strengthening the security of borders and accelerating the implementation of the agreements with Iran, especially in the economic fields, adding that pursuing the implementation of bilateral agreements will benefit the interests of both countries.

Welcoming Iraq’s diplomatic efforts to create regional security and remove tensions and differences among the neighbors, Shamkhani added: “Establishing cooperation, unity and amity among all regional countries is the definite solution to rid the region of insecurity and terrorism.”

Kadhimi, for his part, emphasized the need to strengthen and expand relations between Iran and Iraq, especially in the economic and security fields.

He also expressed gratitude to Iran for defending the national sovereignty and people of Iraq, especially during the fight against the Daesh [the Arabic acronym for ‘ISIS/ISIL’] terrorist group, MNA reported.

Heading a ranking political and economic delegation, Kadhimi arrived in Tehran on Tuesday before travelling to the US.

Kadhimi visited Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also on Tuesday.