Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has spoken against intervention in Iraq by the United States or anyone else, saying the Iraqis can bring an end to violence in their country.
Iranian media on June 22 reported Khamenei as saying "we believe the Iraqi government, nation and religious authorities are capable of ending the sedition."
Khamenei said the "main dispute is between those who want Iraq to join the U.S. camp and those who seek an independent Iraq."
Khamenei seems to have avoided mentioning the Sunni militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) who have seized large areas of Iraq, or that Iran has reportedly sent its own military advisors to Iraq to help protect Shi'ite holy sites.
U.S. President Barack Obama said on June 19 that the United States would send some 300 troops to Iraq to help coordinate the fight against ISIL but made it clear the United States will not get involved in combat in Iraq.
Iranian media on June 22 reported Khamenei as saying "we believe the Iraqi government, nation and religious authorities are capable of ending the sedition."
Khamenei said the "main dispute is between those who want Iraq to join the U.S. camp and those who seek an independent Iraq."
Khamenei seems to have avoided mentioning the Sunni militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) who have seized large areas of Iraq, or that Iran has reportedly sent its own military advisors to Iraq to help protect Shi'ite holy sites.
U.S. President Barack Obama said on June 19 that the United States would send some 300 troops to Iraq to help coordinate the fight against ISIL but made it clear the United States will not get involved in combat in Iraq.