Iraq, Iran sign accord to boost military ties

DUBAI: Iran and Iraq signed an agreement on Sunday to step up military cooperation and the fight against “terrorism and extremism,” Iranian media reported, an accord which is likely to raise concerns in Washington.

Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan and his Iraqi counterpart Erfan Al-Hiyali signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which also covered border security, logistics and training, the official news agency IRNA reported.

“Extending cooperation and exchanging experiences in fighting terrorism and extremism, border security, and educational, logistical, technical and military support are among the provisions of this memorandum,” IRNA reported after the signing of the accord in Tehran.

Iran-Iraq ties have improved since Iran’s long-time enemy Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003 and an Iraqi government led by Shiite Muslims came to power.

US President Donald Trump has voiced concern over what he sees as growing Iranian influence in conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, where it is aligned with Shiite fighters.

Tensions between Iran and the US have heightened since the election of Trump, who has often accused Tehran of backing militant groups and destabilising the region.

Earlier this month, Trump said that new threats were emerging from “rogue regimes like North Korea, Iran and Syria and the governments that finance and support them.”

The US military has accused Iran of stoking violence in Iraq by funding, training and equipping militias. Iran denies this, blaming the presence of US troops for the violence.