Iranian Ambassador Says Iran Wants Better Iraq Ties

Ambassador Kazeni-Qomi (file photo) (epa) January 29, 2007 -- Iran's ambassador to Iraq is quoted as saying Iran is hoping to greatly expand its economic and military ties to Iraq.

Ambassador Hassan Kazemi-Qomi said in an interview with "The New York Times" that Tehran is prepared to offer training, equipment, and advisers to Iraqi government forces for what the ambassador called "the security fight."


In the economic area, the ambassador said Iran is ready to assume major responsibility for Iraq reconstruction.


(nytimes.com)

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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