MOSCOW, November 10 (Sputnik) — Iran and Iraq should boost and expand mutual cooperation in order to withstand Islamic State's (IS) plots in the region, Iran's First Vice President said during his meeting with Iraq's Prime Minister in Tehran Monday.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran closely monitors issues in Iraq and regards Iraq's stability and security as its own security and stands by the Iraqi government and nation under the current difficult conditions," Eshaq Jahangiri was quoted as saying by Iran's state broadcaster IRIB.
According to Jahangiri, saving Iraq's territorial integrity through unity is essential. He further expressed his hope that the wisdom of Iraqi officials will help to cope with the country's insurgencies as soon as possible.
"We believe that collective security and stability in the region will be achieved only through joint regional cooperation," Jahangiri added referring to the IS as a prime source of instability in Iraq.
While helping Iraqi Kurds to fight IS with weapons and military advisers, Iran refused to join the US-led coalition of around 40 states, aimed at degrading the IS.
The IS extremist group has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012. In June this year, IS expanded its influence to northern and western Iraq and declared an Islamic caliphate on the territories it controls.
