Rouhani: Iran opposing moves against Iraq's territorial integrity

In a telephone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Heydar al-Abadi late on Sunday, he added that Iran will fully support Iraqi central government.

“We are sure that the Iraqi nations and government will overcome the problem like those in past through prudence and wisdom,” he said.

“We believe that Iraqi Constitution should be respected by all and violation of that means undertaking illegal measures,” Rouhani added.

Referring to his phone talk with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoghan and their common views on fully supporting Baghdad, he added, “We will stand alongside our neighbor and Iraqi government in this major issue.”

Al-Abadi, for his part, appreciated Iran for its stance in supporting his country’s territorial integrity and national unity, saying that Masoud Barzani’s move in Iraqi Kurdistan Region will give rise to a new conflict in Iraq.

Commenting on the Iraqi central government’s extensive measures to counter the move, he said that central government granted more authorities than stipulated in the Constitution and Barzani’s move will harm the Iraqi territorial integrity and Constitution and this is not acceptable.

Referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan is against the Constitution and its results whatsoever is illegal and the central government will never accept it, Iraqi premier said.

Officials of the region should understand that they should never think splitting Iraq, he said.

During the phone talk, al-Abadi also underlined the need for deepening Tehran-Baghdad cooperation in all fields.

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