'Even the presence of one American in Iraq is too much': Iran leader Khamenei tells Iraqi president
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran told visiting Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid on Saturday that the United States is an untrustworthy ally and that Iraq should not permit any American soldiers on its soil.
Iran opposed American military presence on its borders, in Iraq and the Gulf, saying Western military intervention is the cause of the insecurity in the region.
Also Read | Over 210 migrant bodies recovered on Tunisian coast in less than two weeks
"Americans are not friends of Iraq. Americans are not friends with anyone and are not even loyal to their European friends," state media quoted Khamenei as saying.
Reports in the Pentagon leak suggest that US spied on allies, including Ukraine.
"Even the presence of one American in Iraq is too much," Khamenei told Rashid. Rashid was in Tehran with a delegation to give an impetus to ties between the two neighbours.
Also Read | 'We thought we could die': Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi on visiting Ukraine last year
Approximately 2,500 American soldiers are stationed in Iraq to support local security forces in their fight against the Islamic State, which captured territory there in 2014.
"Iraq's main effort is to deepen relations with Iran and resolve certain remaining issues between the two countries," Rashid was quoted as saying, without referring to Iraq's ties with the United States.
The rivalry between Iran and the United States is a long-standing issue that has been ongoing for decades. The most recent tensions between the two countries have centered on Iran's nuclear program.
Watch | Pope Francis on a three-day visit to Hungary, meets Ukrainian refugees
In 2015, the US and other world powers signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was designed to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
However, in 2018, the US withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions on Iran, which led to increased tensions between the two countries.
There have been efforts to ease tensions and find a diplomatic solution, but progress has been slow. The Biden administration has expressed a willingness to re-engage with Iran on the nuclear issue, but it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve.
The rivalry between Iran and the US is likely to remain a major issue in the Middle East for the foreseeable future.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.