Iran’s Defense Minister arrives in Baghdad to discuss security cooperation

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday and is expected to meet with Iraqi military officials, as reported by Iranian news outlets.

Hatami was received by Secretary General of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense Lieutenant General Mohammed Jawad Kazim.

Following his arrival in Baghdad International Airport, Hatami stated that, with his visit to the neighboring country of Iraq, he aims "to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of defense and military," the Iranian IRNA news agency reported.

He mentioned that during his two-day visit in Baghdad will review latest security developments in the region, namely the recent joint airstrikes in Syria.

The US along, with France and the UK, launched air strikes on three sites in Syria on Saturday following the recent suspected chemical attack in the city of Douma by the Syrian government.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the US-led attacks on Syria and said Washington and its allies "would bear responsibility for the consequences in the region and beyond."

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also stated that the coordinated air strikes on Syria were "a crime that would bring no benefit."

Editing by John J. Catherine