Iran rejects cooperation with US in fight against ISIS
Iranian officials rejected claims that Iran was working with US in airstrikes against ISIS, and calls US policy of military action in the Middle East a "double standard."
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: AUGUST 3, 2015 17:33Smoke and flames rise over the Syrian border town of Kobani after an airstrike, October 20, 2014(photo credit: REUTERS)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian told Iranian TV on Monday that Iran will not work alongside the US in the fight against ISIS, Fars news reported."We have no plans to for joint work with the US against Daesh (ISIS), but we will continue our help and consultations at the request of the Iraqi and Syrians governments," he said.In his interview, he affirmed that Iran will continue its support of countries in the Middle East who are endangered by extremist groups like ISIS. He stressed, however, that they would not be working alongside US forces, who they believe are engaged in a "double-standard policy" against terrorists in the region. Iranian officials have publicly stated that the recent Iranian nuclear deal will not change its regional policies, including support for allies in the region. Iran publicly supports several Shi'ite military groups in the region, such as the Houthis in Yemen, and Hezbollah.In December, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Gen. Massoud Jazayeri denied reports that Iranian fighter bombers had struck ISIS targets in Iraq in coordination with the US."Iran blames the US as the root cause of unrest and problems [in the region], as well as the actions of ISIS in Iraq," said Jazayeri. "The US has no place or future in Iraq or Syria."
