Iran-Iraq defense cooperation to boost regional security - DM

Iranian Defense Minister, who is in Iraq for an official visit, underscored that the two neighboring countries' interactions in defense field will boost stability in the region, FNA reported.

"Cooperation between the two countries' military sectors will result in consolidation, stability and security of the region," Vahidi said in a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Sadun Farhan al-Dulaymi in Baghdad on Wednesday.

He further stated that both Iranian and Iraqi leaders are determined to push the two countries towards an "all-out and balanced" expansion of bilateral ties, while emphasizing independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other's countries.

Dulaymi, for his part, noted the history of the two countries' defense relations, and stressed rapid implementation of Tehran-Baghdad agreement on defense cooperation and expansion of defensive ties.

Vahidi, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Baghdad this morning in a bid to meet with Iraqi officials and explore avenues for the further expansion of defense cooperation between the two sides.

During the visit, the two high-ranking military and political delegations will confer on the issues of mutual interests.

This is a first visit by an Iranian defense minister to Iraq since the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, in 2003.

Both sides are working on a series of plans to take wide strides in expanding their ties.