TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Many are opposed to Iran-Iraq cordial relationship, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said recently in an exclusive interview to the Iraqi TV network, Al-Araqia.

The interview appeared on the Presidential Internet site on Sunday.

"Resistance of two independent and powerful countries in the region will jeopardize interests of bullying powers and those who have ill-intentions towards the two nations," said the president. He added that such brotherly relations "will change all equations." Referring to the rich civilization and culture of both Iran and Iraq, President Ahmadinejad said "The two countries have a long history of mutual ties and also support each other today."

He said that Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) "was a war between the (ousted) regime of Saddam Hussein and his allies against the two nations of Iran and Iraq, and it has nothing to do with the cordial relations between the two nations."

Iraqis are a respectable and noble nation consisting of various ethnic groups who live together in peace and friendship, said the president. Reiterating that Tehran favored unity among all Islamic Ummah (nations) in general, the president stressed "Iran will back Iraq's popular and national reconciliation government because the country's independence, unity, power and security would benefit all regional governments and nations."

He further argued that current tensions and violence in Iraq stemmed from the presence of occupation troops in that country, "while according to the law, Iraq should be governed by the Iraqi people," President Ahmadinejad stressed.

He reiterated Tehran's readiness to work with the government and people of Iraq in restoring peace and stability to the war-torn country.

"The Iraqi nation has never, in the history, tolerated presence of alien forces," said the president, referring to the failure of the policies adopted by the U.S. and Britain in Iraq.

He warned the Iraqi nation that arrogant powers were to sow discord among different Iraqi groups and to undermine its government before leaving their country.

President Ahmadinejad suggested that the people of Iraq should stay vigilant and stand by each other against bullying powers. "The Zionist regime and the US do not belong to the region," the president said adding, "They are only after their own interests and after looting the wealth of the regional countries." President Ahmadinejad stressed that Iran was "ready to talk (on Iraq) with all countries except the Zionist regime of Israel."

"U.S. politicians should change the way they look at the regional states including Iran and prepare the grounds for talks," suggested the president.