Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: US "dreams" in Iraq will not be realized

President of Iran Mahmoud AhmadinejadTehran - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday that the "dreams" of the United States in Iraq would not be realized, state television network IRIB reported.

"The enemies of the Iraqi government and nation, especially the US military, are one of the main hurdles for unity in Iraq, but their (US) dreams in Iraq will not be realized," IRIB quoted the Ayatollah as telling visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Tehran.

The Iranian leader, who constitutionally has the final say on all state matters, once again reiterated Iran's readiness to assist the Iraqi government in returning peace and stability to the war-torn country.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had on Sunday called for stability in Iraq as well as a stop to political manipulation of that country by the US.

"All neighbouring countries, friends and the United Nations should help Iraq pass this critical juncture for eventually reaching security and stability," Ahmadinejad told al-Maliki.

"Iraq should try reaching a sufficient level of stability so that the enemies are pushed to give up manipulating the country," added Ahmadinejad, referring to the US.

IRNA quoted al-Maliki as saying that expanding ties with Iran could help Iraqi development and stability.

The IRNA report did not state whether the two sides discussed a Iraq-US agreement to be finalized next month.

Under the not yet concluded agreement, the US is seeking not only approval to maintain military bases in Iraq, but also the right to conduct military operations from those bases against other countries without consulting the Baghdad government.

Maliki has reportedly reassured Iran that Iraq will not be used to launch attacks against the Islamic state, but Tehran would prefer if Baghdad did not sign the agreement at all. (dpa)

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