Interview with Iran's ambassador to Iraq

The LA Times has published an interview with Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, Iran's ambassador to Baghdad.

Kazemi-Qomi speaks on several issues, including Iran's disapproval of the proposed US status of forces agreement, Iran's historical ties to Iraq, and Iran's current role in Iraqi reconstruction. What I found most interesting, however, was Kazemi-Qomi's comments on Iran's involvement in Iraqi security. Kazemi-Qomi, himself a former Revolutionary Guard, also discusses the role of Qods Force commander, Qassem Soleimani.

Here are a couple excerpts:

Question: Does one country, Iran or the United States, have more influence inside Iraq with the government and political parties?

Ambassador Kazemi-Qomi: The policy of our country is, first, Iraq is an independent and free country, a country which we wish has stability and security. We wish that Iraq has prosperity and progress, that the government is elected by their people, with national unity, and will have the withdrawal of all foreign military forces from its territory. On this policy, we are taking steps with the Iraqi people to support the Iraqi government in the political process and the security process. We support both the security and reconstruction process. We support both the Iraqi people and government within these frameworks.

Question: What has been the role of [Brig.] Gen. Qassem Suleimani [the commander of the Quds Force] in ending Iraq's recent violence involving the Mahdi Army? Iraqi officials credit him with helping pressure [Shiite cleric Muqtada] Sadr to stop fighting first in Basra and then in Sadr City.

Kazemi-Qomi: The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in its policies and actions are to be part of the solution in Iraq. We played a big role in Iraq's prevailing security. Regarding Qassem Suleimani, he is one of the Iranian officials, and he has responsibility for Iraqi affairs. He has a good relationship with all Iraqi leaders. We support any step to strengthen security in Iraq. We think all parties and countries will support or have to support Iraq's security, reconstruction and stability.

Regarding the Sadrists, this is a political bloc. They have more than 30 lawmakers. We engage all blocs and political groups to help the government and security. . . .

Again, I would like say Suleimani is one of the Iranian officials working under the framework of Iraqi policy. Iraqi leaders are always commenting on the positive role of this man, and he doesn't pay attention others words about him because he plays a positive role in Iraq. The accusations from the Americans are silly accusations and they don't deserve to be commented upon.

[Image: Ambassador Hassan Kazemi-Qomi with Nuri al-Maliki and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]