TEHRAN – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that the united resistance put up by the Iraqi nation against U.S. pressure, which compelled the country to withdraw its forces from Iraq, is a golden page in the history of Iraq. 

“The united resistance of the Iraqi people of all tribes and religious sects against U.S. pressure and the refusal to grant immunity to U.S. occupying forces, which eventually forced the U.S. to leave Iraq, is a golden page in the history of Iraq,” the Leader said during a meeting with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani in Tehran on Sunday. 

“Despite U.S. pressure and its military and political presence in Iraq, all Iraqi people, including Shias, and Sunnis, said ‘no’ to the U.S., which is an important matter,” he said.  

The Leader also said the Islamic Republic of Iran is pleased with the current stable situation in Iraq, adding that all Iraqi people should work together to develop their country. 

The Leader also insisted that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports a united and stable Iraq.

In addition, Ayatollah Khamenei described the Tehran-Baghdad relationship as satisfactory and called for further expansion of ties between the two neighbors. 

For his part, Barzani called Iran a close friend of Iraq and said the Iraqi people will never forget that the Iranian nation and government gave great assistance to Iraqis during difficult times. 

In a separate meeting with Barzani on Sunday, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili said that the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq will help improve the security situation in the country. 

Jalili also expressed satisfaction at the positive trend of political and economic developments in Iraq and said that the Islamic Republic will continue to support its western neighbor. 

Barzani also met with Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Sunday.