Iran Offers To Help Train, Equip Iraqi Forces

Ambassador Kazemi in Baghdad today (epa) January 18, 2007 -- Iran's ambassador to Baghdad today said his country stands ready to help train and equip Iraqi security forces to combat terrorism.

Hassan Kazemi also rejected U.S. allegations that Tehran is working to destabilise Iraq.


Kazemi said Iran is working for, not against, security in Iraq, because Iran knows that insecurity justifies maintaining foreign troops in the country. He spoke after talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.


(Reuters)

Iraq And Iran

Iraq And Iran

Iranian Shi'a protesting the Golden Mosque Bombing in Iraq on February 24

WHAT IS GOING ON? On March 8, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a roundtable discussion on relations between Iraq and Iran. Although most analysts agree that Iran has been actively involved in Iraq since the U.S.-led military operation to oust former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, they continue to debate the nature, extent, and intent of that involvement.
The RFE/RL briefing featured WAYNE WHITE, former deputy director of the U.S. State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research's Office of Analysis for the Near East and South Asia, and A. WILLIAM SAMII, RFE/RL's regional analyst for Iran and editor of the "RFE/RL Iran Report."


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