SomaliNet Forums

NKARA (Reuters) - Shi'te Muslim Iran is so alarmed by Sunni insurgent gains in Iraq that it may be willing to cooperate with Washington in helping Baghdad fight back, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

The idea is being discussed internally among the Islamic Republic's leadership, the senior Iranian official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official had no word on whether the idea had been raised with any other party.

Officials say Iran will send its neighbor advisers and weaponry, although probably not troops, to help its ally Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki check what Tehran sees as a profound threat to regional stability, officials and analysts say.

Islamist militants have captured swathes of territory including the country's second biggest city Mosul.

Tehran is open to the possibility of working with the United States to support Baghdad, the senior official said.

"We can work with Americans to end the insurgency in the Middle East," the official said, referring to events in Iraq.

"We are very influential in Iraq, Syria and many other countries."

For many years, Iran has been aggrieved by what it sees as U.S. efforts to marginalize it. Tehran wants to be recognized as a significant player in regional security.

COMMON CAUSE

Relations between Iran and Washington have improved modestly since the 2013 election of President Hassan Rouhani, who promised "constructive engagement" with the world.

And while Tehran and the United States pursue talks to resolve the Islamic state's decade-old nuclear standoff with the West, they also acknowledge some common threats, including the rise of al Qaeda-style militancy across the Middle East.

On Thursday, President Barack Obama said the United States was not ruling out air strikes to help Baghdad fight the insurgents, in what would be the first U.S. armed intervention in Iraq since the end of the U.S.-led war.

Rouhani on Thursday strongly condemned what he called violent acts by insurgent groups in the Middle East.

“Today, in our region, unfortunately, we are witnessing violence, killing, terror and displacement," Rouhani said.

"Iran will not tolerate the terror and violence ... we will fight against terrorism, factionalism and violence.”

Asked on Thursday about Iranian comments, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "Clearly, we've encouraged them in many cases to play a constructive role. But I don't have any other readouts or views from our end to portray here today.”

Fearing Iraq's war could spill into Iran, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged the international community to back Maliki's administration "in its fight against terrorism".

Brigadier-General Mohammad Hejazi said Iran was ready to supply Iraq with “military equipment or consultations,” the Tasnim news agency reported. "I do not think the deployment of Iranian troops would be necessary," he was quoted as adding.

The senior Iranian official said Iran was extremely worried about the advance of ISIL, also a major force in the war against Iran's close ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, carving out a swathe of Syria territory along the Iraqi border.

"The danger of extremist Sunni terrorist in Iraq and the region is increasing ... There have been several high-ranking security meetings since yesterday in Tehran," the official said.

"We are on alert and we also follow the developments in Iraq very closely."

(Additional reporting by Michelle Moghtader in Dubai, Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by William Maclean and Janet McBride)

What happened to those saying Iran is anti US

Every one needs to work together to stop advance of those terrorist scum

I remember sheikh imran saying Iran will soon become dhabodhilif's for the US, I guess he was right.

After all 70,000 jews from Iran will run out to dajjal.

Well, Iran has been gradually opening their door to US for quite some time now. Since the exit of the "AhmedJaad" lol -- the new leader has sent a very American diplomat to the US, and who has been going to all talk shows.

But this time if they get militarily involved, its not because of improved US relations but just out of primal blood boiling calling of saving their fellow Shiats. Then what? We see Saudi Arabians and Somalis going to Iraq to die in the name of Sunni? This is insanity. But I have to say, my pop corn is ready. Death and blood always makes me aphrodisiac. May I say that aloud?

ZubeirAwal wrote:I remember sheikh imran saying Iran will soon become dhabodhilif's for the US, I guess he was right.

After all 70,000 jews from Iran will run out to dajjal.

its true, perhaps the puzzle is slow starting to solve itself as WW3 is near. Middleeast is deteriorating fast.

ZubeirAwal wrote:I remember sheikh imran saying Iran will soon become dhabodhilif's for the US, I guess he was right.

After all 70,000 jews from Iran will run out to dajjal.

I think sheikh imran is in the wrong profession. His is a really good political analyst, but I disagree with a lot of his theology.

grandpakhalif wrote:NKARA (Reuters) - Shi'te Muslim Iran is so alarmed by Sunni insurgent gains in Iraq that it may be willing to cooperate with Washington in helping Baghdad fight back, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

The idea is being discussed internally among the Islamic Republic's leadership, the senior Iranian official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official had no word on whether the idea had been raised with any other party.

Officials say Iran will send its neighbor advisers and weaponry, although probably not troops, to help its ally Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki check what Tehran sees as a profound threat to regional stability, officials and analysts say.

Islamist militants have captured swathes of territory including the country's second biggest city Mosul.

Tehran is open to the possibility of working with the United States to support Baghdad, the senior official said.

"We can work with Americans to end the insurgency in the Middle East," the official said, referring to events in Iraq.

"We are very influential in Iraq, Syria and many other countries."

For many years, Iran has been aggrieved by what it sees as U.S. efforts to marginalize it. Tehran wants to be recognized as a significant player in regional security.

COMMON CAUSE

Relations between Iran and Washington have improved modestly since the 2013 election of President Hassan Rouhani, who promised "constructive engagement" with the world.

And while Tehran and the United States pursue talks to resolve the Islamic state's decade-old nuclear standoff with the West, they also acknowledge some common threats, including the rise of al Qaeda-style militancy across the Middle East.

On Thursday, President Barack Obama said the United States was not ruling out air strikes to help Baghdad fight the insurgents, in what would be the first U.S. armed intervention in Iraq since the end of the U.S.-led war.

Rouhani on Thursday strongly condemned what he called violent acts by insurgent groups in the Middle East.

“Today, in our region, unfortunately, we are witnessing violence, killing, terror and displacement," Rouhani said.

"Iran will not tolerate the terror and violence ... we will fight against terrorism, factionalism and violence.”

Asked on Thursday about Iranian comments, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "Clearly, we've encouraged them in many cases to play a constructive role. But I don't have any other readouts or views from our end to portray here today.”

Fearing Iraq's war could spill into Iran, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged the international community to back Maliki's administration "in its fight against terrorism".

Brigadier-General Mohammad Hejazi said Iran was ready to supply Iraq with “military equipment or consultations,” the Tasnim news agency reported. "I do not think the deployment of Iranian troops would be necessary," he was quoted as adding.

The senior Iranian official said Iran was extremely worried about the advance of ISIL, also a major force in the war against Iran's close ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, carving out a swathe of Syria territory along the Iraqi border.

"The danger of extremist Sunni terrorist in Iraq and the region is increasing ... There have been several high-ranking security meetings since yesterday in Tehran," the official said.

"We are on alert and we also follow the developments in Iraq very closely."

(Additional reporting by Michelle Moghtader in Dubai, Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by William Maclean and Janet McBride)

What happened to those saying Iran is anti US

Why do you get such joy out of anything dabadhilif?

I do not believe that Iran will be willing to co-operate with wa-shaydan/washigton anytime soon but whatever happens they will always be more superior to sand niggers!

Apart from a Shiite-sunni bloodbath, the only one capable of stopping the ISIS is IRan.
They have already moved in and have 2000 men in the latest estimate, the number is getting higher and higher as we speak, and we can never be sure how much because of how they blend in with shiite millitias.
These are pasadran of al quds brigade and are experts at insurgency and counter insurgency, and good at hiding them selves.
trust me there could be far more already in basra, and southern baghdad.

I heard something about the mosul fall, apparently the peshmerga and the Iraqi army defended mosul, the iraqi army mostly sunni bolted and ran,
some even joined ISIS, the Peshmerga fought and held on but where ordered to retreat as the situation was advantagous for the Kurds,
fall of mosul opened up kirkuk..
right now they are moving most of their 45,000 regulars to kirkuk..
they have finally reconquered their ancient capital and they will never let it go .

another thing is that baghdad is now a Shia city, it used to be 40% sunni but now has about 10%,
they were ethnically cleansed a couple of years ago..

Allot of sunnis will join ISIS to stick it to al malaki

gurey25 wrote:Apart from a Shiite-sunni bloodbath, the only one capable of stopping the ISIS is IRan.
They have already moved in and have 2000 men in the latest estimate, the number is getting higher and higher as we speak, and we can never be sure how much because of how they blend in with shiite millitias.
These are pasadran of al quds brigade and are experts at insurgency and counter insurgency, and good at hiding them selves.
trust me there could be far more already in basra, and southern baghdad.

I heard something about the mosul fall, apparently the peshmerga and the Iraqi army defended mosul, the iraqi army mostly sunni bolted and ran,
some even joined ISIS, the Peshmerga fought and held on but where ordered to retreat as the situation was advantagous for the Kurds,
fall of mosul opened up kirkuk..
right now they are moving most of their 45,000 regulars to kirkuk..
they have finally reconquered their ancient capital and they will never let it go .

another thing is that baghdad is now a Shia city, it used to be 40% sunni but now has about 10%,
they were ethnically cleansed a couple of years ago..

Allot of sunnis will join ISIS to stick it to al malaki

Don't forget most of ex-Saddam generals + advisors have allied with ISIS so don't think Baathists have no tactical vision

Iran cannot sustain a multi-front war, fighting Sunnis in Syria + Iraq will definetely strain their resources. A perfect opportunity for Sunnis in Syria to make a resounding comeback

Is actually the other way around, the U S might consider cooperating with Iran, after all Iran has chosen them-self a president more align with the western world, the after math of Ahmed-nejad. The only question is how would Saudi Arabia react to the U S possible decision on supporting Iran to counter the Iraq Sunnis advance.