Iran dismisses cooperation with US in fighting terrorists in Iraq

The Iranian foreign ministry stressed Tehran’s support for the Iraqi government's war on terrorism, but meantime, rejected any cooperation with Washington in fighting the terrorist groups in the country. “The reports about cooperation between Iran and the US in Iraq against the terrorist groups are not true,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham told reporters in her weekly press conference in Tehran on Tuesday. She described Iraq as a symbol of a successful democratic process, and called for the continuation of this trend. Her remarks came after some reports alleged that Iran and the US are cooperating with Iraq in its fight against the Al-Qaeda terrorists who have rushed to the western parts of the country. Both Tehran and Washington have denied the reports. Yet, the two countries have stressed that they would provide equipment and logistical backup to the Iraq government if needed. A senior commander of the Iranian Armed Forces said on Sunday that Tehran is ready to provide Iraq with logistical backup to help the Muslim neighboring nation in its war on terrorism. Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces for Logistics and Industrial Research General Mohammad Hejazi pointed to some reports by some Iraqi newspapers that Iraq has asked for Iran’s help to confront the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization, and said, “I am not informed of any such demand, but if Iraq asks for consultation or equipment aid, we will provide it.” Tensions have been rising over the past few weeks in Anbar, a province that makes up a third of Iraq's territory along the Euphrates River. The army launched a major operation in Anbar to flush out Al-Qaeda militants after an attack killed at least 18 soldiers, including an army commander on December 21.