Iran's FM Renews Call for “Comprehensive Fight” against Terrorism

“We believe that we need regional cooperation to fight terrorism and accordingly we have already started some negotiations (on regional cooperation),” the visiting Iranian foreign minister said during his meeting with Iraqi President Fouad Masoum in Baghdad on Sunday evening.

Zarif also voiced Tehran’s support for the Iraqi government in its campaign against terrorism, saying Iran backs Iraq’s new government.

Since the first day of attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group, Iran has sided with the Iraqi nation, Zarif underlined, adding that the ISIL is dangerous both for Iraq and the entire region.

The ISIL is a militant group that claims as an independent state the territory of Iraq and Syria, with implied future claims intended over more of the Levant, including Lebanon, occupied Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus, and Southern Turkey.

In addition to attacks on government and military targets, the group has claimed responsibility for attacks that have killed thousands of Iraqi civilians.

In early June, following its large-scale offensives in Iraq, ISIL seized control of most parts of Mosul, the second most populous city in Iraq and its surrounding Nineveh province.

During the meeting, Zarif and Masoum also exchanged views on ways to promote bilateral relations in all spheres.

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