No power can bring united Iraq to knees: Rafsanjani

In a Monday meeting with visiting Iraqi Oil Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi al-Muntafiki in Tehran, the chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council said the recent gains made by Iraqi troops and volunteer forces on the battlefield against the ISIL terrorists mark an important juncture in the history of the Arab state.

He emphasized the need for unity among all religious groups in Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, and Kurds, saying Takfiri groups will have no room for terror operations in a country which has an inclusive government backed by people and religious scholars.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani called on the Iraqi nation to continue supporting the government so that they could prevent further bloodshed at the hands of ISIL extremists, adding, “No power can bring such people to their knees.”

The Iraqi oil minister, in turn, pointed to the ISIL atrocities in areas under its control and outlined the victories achieved by the Iraqi army and volunteer forces in their fight against the terror group on different fronts.

He also highlighted the religious, cultural, and historical commonalities between the neighboring Iranian and Iraqi nations, expressing Baghdad’s readiness to further promote cooperation with Tehran in various spheres.

Muntafiki said his talks with Iranian officials would focus on issues related to joint oil wells, petrochemical exports as well as oil prices, which have witnessed a severe slump in recent months.