MNA – Pointing out that one of Iran's great successes in the field of diplomacy in recent years is the issue of Iraq, Iranian Parliament Speaker Special Aide on International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said "the Islamic Republic managed the developments in the relations between Tehran and Baghdad, turning Iraq from an actual enemy to a strategic ally."







Many attempts have been made to disrupt relations between Iran and Iraq, an obvious example of which was manifested during Arbaeen procession, when Iraqi people warmly welcomed Iranians, he said in a televised interview on Saturday.

Pointing to the visit of Iraq's President Barham Salih and his accompanying entourage to Iran, Amir-Abdollahian said "President Salih has a long-standing friendship with Iran and a great understanding of the nature of ties between the two countries; he has also been among the people who have always been successful in developing and consolidating relations between the two countries since the fall of Saddam Hussein."

The most important message of the Iraqi President Barham Salih's vsit to Iran was that Iraqi government and people appreciate the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran in years, he noted.

Pointing to the US war in Iraq, he said "Americans arrived in Iraq in 2003 with long-term plans, aiming to bring more than 170,000 military troops to the country and use vast energy and oil resources."

"The Americans had come to stay in Iraq, not to leave the country, but the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran and our advice to Iraqi friends was to maintain the sweet taste of independence and free themselves from the tyrany of Americans," he added.