"These hired terrorists (ISIL) are pursuing the interests of the US and Israel in the region," General Dehqan said in a joint press conference with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Khalid al-Obeidi in Tehran on Tuesday.
He reiterated that the arrogant powers have threatened the security and stability of the region through hatching plots and sponsoring a Takfiri current, and said, "Today Iraq and Syria are the scenes of inhuman and terrorist moves, and Iran and Iraq should naturally expand their cooperation in order to confront and remove such threats."
He pointed to his meeting with his Iraqi counterpart earlier today, and said, "I hope this meeting heralds further cooperation in the future …"
Earlier today, Iran and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to broaden defense cooperation between the two Muslim neighboring states.
The MoU was signed by General Dehqan and his visiting Iraqi counterpart in Tehran on Tuesday.
During the meeting in the Iranian capital today, the two sides agreed to continue their cooperation to form a national army in Iraq in a bid to help the country maintain its territorial integrity and security.
The Iranian and Iraqi defense ministers also underlined the need to continue consultations and exchange visits to help maintain security in the region.
After signing the agreement, al-Obeidi told the joint press conference that his country needs Iran's cooperation in its ongoing fight against the Takfiri terrorists.
"We do not see any other option than cooperation and being on the same side (with Iran) to uproot the terrorists," al-Obeidi said, addressing a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan in Tehran on Tuesday.
He underlined the need for broadening defense cooperation between Baghdad and Tehran in the campaign against their common enemy.
The Iraqi defense minister arrived in Tehran on Monday to widen Tehran-Baghdad defense and security cooperation.