Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani (L) meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Tehran on July 21, 2020. (Photo by IRNA)

Iran’s top security official says insecurity in the Middle East stems from the United States’ illegitimate presence and acts of terror, urging neighbors to make collective efforts and pave the way for the withdrawal of American troops from the region.

In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Tehran on Tuesday, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani welcomed Baghdad’s diplomatic efforts towards establishing regional security and easing tensions between neighboring countries.

Referring to Washington’s malicious, terrorist and destabilizing actions, Shamkhani underlined the inevitable need for cooperation between the countries in the region to accelerate the withdrawal of the evil US.

He said the definitive solution to rid the region of insecurity and terrorism is unity among all regional states and non-interference of foreign forces.

Iran’s strategic policy is to defend the Iraqi government’s sovereignty and develop all-out relations with the brotherly nation, he added.

Shamkhani also said that the measures taken by the Iraqi government to strengthen border security and expedite the implementation of bilateral agreements, especially in economic fields, will benefit the interests of both countries.

He further said that Tehran expects Baghdad to resolutely respond of terrorist acts against Iran perpetrated by counter-revolutionary elements operating in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

Referring to the US assassination of anti-terror commanders Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Shamkhani said that both Iranian and Iraqi nations want the case pursued politically and legally.

Cooperation and joint action by the two countries in this regard can speed up the process of following up on the case and serve as a deterrent to the recurrence of such evil acts, he pointed out.

US President Donald Trump ordered the fatal drone strike on the motorcade of Iran’s General Soleimani upon his arrival in Baghdad on January 3 at the invitation of the Iraqi government. The attack also killed Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) counter-terrorism force, as well as eight other Iranian and Iraqi people.

Kadhimi hails Iran for standing by Iraq

Kadhimi, for his part, emphasized the need for developing Iran-Iraq ties, especially in economic and security sectors.

He further appreciated the all-out support of the Iranian government and people for Iraq’s efforts to defend its national sovereignty during the fight against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, saying the Iraqis will never forget the Islamic Republic’s backing.

In 2014, when Daesh unleashed its campaign of terror in Iraq, Iranian military advisers - led by General Soleimani - aided Iraqi Armed Forces on Baghdad’s request to reverse Daesh’s gains and ultimately liberate their entire homeland from the Takfiri outfit some three years later.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Kadhimi traveled to Tehran on Tuesday for a two-day visit. He met with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.