Rafsanjani on Status of Forces Agreement

Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani shared his thoughts on Iraq and the Status of Forces Agreement in a recent article by the Iranian Student News Agency.

Rafsanjani, who heads both the powerful Expediency Council and Assembly of Experts, has been an outspoken critic of the US occupation in Iraq and a SOF agreement between the two countries. His views are representative of Iran's current policy vis-a-vis Iraq and are a good example of how Iranian politicians (including pragmatists like Rafsanjani) have been framing the issue.

TEHRAN, July 23 (ISNA)

Iran's Expediency Council chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani told his audiences of Iraqi cultural and artistic features in Tehran that "a secure, free and unified Iraq is what the Islamic Republic of Iran awaits for." "Creating a situation under which Iraqi people are able to be in charge of their destiny and the end of this country's occupation by aliens could bring a bright prospect for Iraqis," he added.

He asserted that alleging Iran of interfering in Iraq's internal affairs is a big and obvious lie by the occupiers. "Today it is clear that the occupiers' excuses of creating security, campaign against terrorism and humanitarian objectives in Iraq are baseless and through projection, they are seeking for more excuses to continue their presence in the country." The U.S. insists on signing the long-term security agreement with Baghdad because it paves the way for continuing the occupation, Rafsanjani said while stating that Iraqi nation can prevent such measures through unity, solidarity and avoiding disparities.

Meanwhile, he said Iran has extended experience and ability for aiding Iraqis to rebuild their country and that "preparing the situation for Iran's presence in Iraq favors both countries' interests."

[Image: Iranian politician, Ayatollah Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]