In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said unity among various ethnic groups, the Iraqi government’s support for popular forces, and brave and faithful Iraqi youth hold the key to the recent victories against terrorists and their advocates.  

Ayatollah Khamenei expressed support for the measures adopted by Baghdad to defend the country’s undivided sovereignty and territorial integrity, describing Iraq as a crucial and important country in the Arab world.   

Expressing support for the efforts of the Iraqi administration to expand relations with neighboring and regional countries, he stressed, “However, you should beware of the duplicity of Americans and never trust them.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added, “The Americans created Daesh themselves, but now that the terrorists have been defeated by the Iraqi people and government, they pretend to be alongside [the Iraqis] and pursuing the same goal [as them]; however, they will harm Iraq whenever they find the opportunity.”  

Expressing support for the expansion of all-out Tehran-Baghdad ties in various areas, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, “The attention that regional nations are paying to Iraq’s successes is the result of the endeavors and bravery of the Iraqi people, you (Abadi) and other Iraqi officials.”  

In this meeting, which was also attended by Iran's First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri, the Iraqi president pointed to the efforts of Iraqi people and youth to safeguard the country’s unity and territorial integrity, saying, “We will protect the unity and integrity of Iraq with complete care, and as we have already told our brothers in the [Kurdistan] region, we will not allow the danger of disintegration to threaten our country.” 

Expressing sincere gratitude over Iran’s support for Iraq in the fight against terrorists, Abadi said, “We will enthusiastically endeavor and strive for the expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”