Iran in New Deal to Boost Iraq Army

Local Editor

Iran is to help Iraq rebuild its army under an agreement that could formalize Tehran's military support for its neighbor, which is confronting the terrorist "ISIL" group.

No details of the pact were released but state television said the two sides had "agreed to continue cooperation in the defense arena with the creation of a national army to protect the territorial integrity and security of Iraq."

The memorandum of understanding was signed late Tuesday in Tehran where Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi is holding talks with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Dahqan.

"The two sides stressed the need for consultations to ensure security, because terrorism affects not only security in Iraq but security throughout the region," the statement added.

Iran has also armed Kurdish forces in northern Iraq and several Iranian military personnel have been killed in Iraq and Syria, whose government Tehran also supports.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team