Iranian Media On Iraq Us Usg Open

The following are highlights of Iran-Iraq relations as reported in conservative, reformist, and opposition websites monitored by OSC. Turkish Army Attack Northern Iraq

(7 June) — Thousands of Turkish military personnel entered Iraq, Keyhan reported, citing the Associated Press. According to the report, Turkish security officials said that the goal of this military operation is to pursue an armed Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) group. According to the report, two unidentified high-ranking Turkish Security personnel said this operation is “limited” and not the “expanded” attack the Turkish leaders have been talking about in the last few weeks. The Turkish security officers noted that Turkey had earlier asked the local Kurdish government to confront the PKK group, which it holds responsible for several recent terrorist acts inside Turkey (Tehran Keyhan in Persian, conservative daily edited by Hoseyn Shari’atmadari, Leader Khamene’i’s representative at the Keyhan Institute where it is published). Ahmadinezhad: Iran ‘Prepared’ To Help Iraqis

(5 June) – – Speaking to foreign guests at a ceremony marking the 18 th anniversary of Imam Khomeyni’s death, President Ahmadinezhad said: “The occupiers of Iraq have lost the way, they don’t know what to do. They imagine that by accusing others, they can resolve problems, and now, they say ‘help us.'” The President added: “We are prepared, for the sake of the Iraqi people, to help. We won’t spare any efforts” (Tehran Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) in English — politically moderate news agency, licensed to the government-created University Jihad). President Denies Iran Interfering in Iraq

(5 June) – – In response to a question from a journalist at the ceremony marking the anniversary of Khomeyni’s death, President Ahmadinezhad denied Western allegations that Iran is interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs, labeling such charges “the most laughable mockery of the past several years.” The president criticized the US invasion of Iraq and called for the “occupiers” to leave Iraq (Tehran IRNA in English — official state-run news agency). Coalition Forces Arrest Four ‘Terrorists’ With Ties to Iran

(5 June) – – Citing statements made by US military officials, Iran Focus reported that Multi-National Forces in Iraq on 5 June arrested four “suspected terrorists” believed to be transferring “weapons and explosively formed penetrators (EFPs)” from Iran to Iraq. Among those detained during the raids in northeast Baghdad was a “suspected terrorist cell leader” associated with the “operational and logistic elements of the secret cell terrorist network” (Internet Iran Focus in English — an expatriate opposition website posting news, information and editorials). Group Linked With Iran May Be Behind Kidnapping of Brits in Iraq

(5 June) – – Citing an unnamed senior US military official, AFP reported that commanders in Iraq suspect that an Iraqi militant cell with links to the [Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps or] IRGC was behind the 29 May abduction of five British contractors in east Baghdad. The official said that investigations pointed to the operation having been carried out by members of the “Khazali network,” an Iraqi extremist cell with links to the IRGC’s Qods Force (Iran Focus). Iraqi Official on Jaysh al-Mahdi’s Influence

(3 June) — According to an Iraqi official, a lack of organization and discipline have helped Iranian military forces to penetrate the Jaysh al-Mahdi, Farda news reported, citing Akhbar al-Khalij. According to the source, British officials know that Jaysh al-Mahdi has different branches and some of them have good relations with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. British officials made these statements after the kidnapping of five British nationals from the Iraqi Ministry of Finance (Fardanews in Persian — a conservative website generally supportive of the Islamic Regime and mildly critical of the government). Foreign Policy Council Director Urges Continued US-Iran Talks (

3 June) – – During an interview with the Young Journalists’ Club, Seyyed Kamal Kharrazi, Director of Iran’s Foreign Policy Strategic Council said: “If America changes its policy, Iran will continue negotiations with (America) regarding Iraq.” Kharrazi added: “Of course, the negotiations that were held were not the main talks because in this session the two sides . . . announced their stances about Iraq. But, if the Americans really want to solve Iraq’s problems, these talks will continue” (Tehran Hemayat in Persian — conservative daily close to the Judiciary). Mottaki Urges US to Withdraw From Iraq

(3 June) – – In a meeting with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki said that Iran and Algeria “regard Iraq’s occupation the country’s main problem. The new American tactic in Iraq has also failed. An increase in the death toll of the Iraqi people and the US military by three times in the period is a proof to the issue.” The Iranian minister stated: “The US has no plan to withdraw from Iraq, an issue which would cause problems on threshold of the presidential polls” (IRNA). Al-Maliki Concerned About Coup d’Etat by Ba`th Officers

(3 June) — Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki expressed concern about a possible coup d’etat by loyal Ba`thist officers, Keyhan reported, citing ISNA who cited Al-Maliki’s exclusive interview with CNN. According to the Keyhan report, Al-Maliki said he has to carefully oversee the army’s operations as those “faithful” to the former regime could plan a coup d’etat. Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi said “the purge of the paramilitary groups, corrupt and incompetent individuals are necessary.” Aghamohammadi Cautiously Optimistic on Talks With US

(2 June) – – In an interview with ISNA, the former spokesman of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Aghamohammadi, described Iran’s talks with the US on Iraq as “talks with the enemy” which is “determined in its enmity either about Iran’s nuclear issues or threats and espionage against Iran. Therefore initiating talks in such circumstances was very hard and spectacular.” Aghamohammadi added: “While we must be diplomatically optimistic, we must also watch out for political plots. This doesn’t mean that we will not follow any possibility that can restore stability to the region” (ISNA). Jannati Urges US Withdrawal from Iraq

(1 June) – – During Friday Prayers, Ayatolah Jannati, addressing the US, said “If you claim that you are in Iraq to uphold democracy – which you are lying and speaking out of deception – you should know that the Iraqi people have elected a government; and this democratic government is attempting to administer the country. So, leave Iraq and allow the government, or in other words the people, to run the country. They (the people) need no overlords. Allow them to restore security. If you (Americans) leave, we, and all the others who are interested in Iraq’s security, will help and in no time people will breathe in peace” (Tehran Radio-1 – – state-run radio). Shari`atmadari: Today US is ‘Our Hostage’ in Iraq (1 June) — In a ceremony commemorating the Kowsar Martyrs Day, the managing director of Keyhan newspaper Hoseyn Shari`atmadari referring to what he said were more than 40 US requests for talks with Iran, said the US knows that Iraqi problems cannot get resolved without Iran and wants to be rescued from this “quagmire,” Fars News Agency reported. Shari`atmadari added that the Iraqis, contrary to US wishes, elected a pro-Islamic government which will be a more suitable atmosphere for spreading Imam Khomeyni’s ideas. Criticizing those who speak of concessions to and compromise with the US, Shari`atmadari said: “If we wanted to give concessions, we would not have gone through the revolution to start out with” (Tehran Fars News Agency — conservative news agency sympathetic to traditional clerics).