General Soleimani: Iran Truly Encountering ISIL Threat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Renowned Iranian commander Major General Qassem Soleimani branded Iran as the only genuine party encountering the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group.
“Today, for the battle against such dangerous phenomenon (ISIL rise in Iraq), nobody is in confrontation with that (ISIL) except the Islamic Republic (of Iran),” Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Major General Qassem Soleimani said on Sunday, in a cultural ceremony in the country’s southeastern city of Kerman.
The commander, however, made it clear that Iran does not need Iraq’s soil or oil, and does not need anything from any other country either.
“We help any country that has been oppressed,” he underlined.
The ISIL militants made advances in northern and western Iraq over the summer 2014, after capturing swaths of northern Syria.
Last week, the ISIL militants seized control of the central city of Ramadi, but Iraqi forces could recapture territory from militants on Sunday.
Amid tensions in Iraq, Iran is known as the first country to help the Arab country and has always voiced support for Iraq’s solidarity and prosperity.
On May 19, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to keep supporting Baghdad in the fight against the ISIL terrorist group.
