Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Iran has reported signing several defense and military
cooperation agreements with Iraq.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it signed a series of
cooperation accords with the U.S.-trained Iraqi military. IRGC
commander Maj. Gen. Mohammed Jafari said the Iranian and Iraqi militaries
were examining such cooperation as border security, joint exercises,
strategic dialogue and defense industry.

“We can have great cooperation against the common enemies of Iran and Iraq in and outside the region,” Jafari said.

On Nov. 17, Iran and Iraq conducted a military summit in Teheran as the United States prepared to complete its withdrawal from the Arab League state. Jafari, who met Iraqi Chief of Staff Gen. Babaker Zebari, said the two sides signed several memorandums of understanding.

“God willing, they will bear fruit in the next visits,” Jafari, who did not elaborate, said.

Iraq, with a Shi’ite-led government, has not reported any defense or military cooperation accords with Teheran. But Iraqi officials acknowledged that relations with Teheran would expand in wake of the U.S. military withdrawal in December.

“We have a long border with Iran, and some problems exist that can be
solved with mutual cooperation,” Zebari said. “We can use Iran’s expertise
in solving such problems. Since the Islamic republic of Iran is a powerful
country in many fields, we decided to meet with the IRGC Ground Force
commander in a bid to exchange views and discuss expansion of mutual
cooperation between the two sides.”

For his part, Jafari envisioned extensive defense and military ties with
Iraq. He said Teheran expected Baghdad to agree to an intimate relationship
in all areas.

“This cooperation can be in the fields of security, training, joint
exercises and sharing experiences,” Jafari said. “We hope that the existing
commonalities pave the ground for cooperation, coordination and expansion of
the entire relationship.”

  Gen. Babaker Zebari, Iraq signs security accords with Iran as U.S. completes withdrawal, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Jafari, Shi’ite, Teheran