Speaking at a joint press conference with Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji in Tehran on Monday, Larijani said, “Today, we discussed important security issues and reviewed the matters that were raised during my recent trip to Baghdad. However, the main focus of our talks today was the expansion of economic relations between the two countries. If we want economic relations to remain stable, we must also expand our cooperation in the field of security.”
Praising Iraq’s stance during the 12-day war imposed by the Israeli regime and the US in June, Larijani added, “Unfortunately, the Zionist regime misused Iraq’s airspace, and our Iraqi brothers are also unhappy about this matter.”
He also stressed the importance of Iraq’s role in the region, saying, “We consider Iraq’s role in regional issues to be very significant, and we must work to prevent any exploitation by foreigners aimed at harming Iran and Iraq.”
In response to a question about the Cairo agreement, Larijani said, “As (Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas) Araqchi stated, if the snapback mechanism is activated, we will reconsider the agreement. This has happened, and that agreement is now null and void. They wanted to avoid triggering the mechanism, but they did it.”
Regarding the report that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is expected to present to the Board of Governors, Larijani stated, “Grossi has done his work, and his reports will no longer have any effect.”
Stressing the need to protect national cohesion and strengthen the Iranian Armed Forces, Larijani added, “We are seriously pursuing the strengthening of the power of our Armed Forces.”