Iran ready to neutralize Iraq-based terrorists if security deal violated: Lawmaker

By Alireza Hashemi

Iran is ready to take action to eliminate the threat posed by anti-Iran terrorist groups based in Iraq’s Kurdistan region should they refuse to surrender their weapons and relocate from Iran’s borders, says a senior Iranian lawmaker.

In an interview with the Press TV website, Abolfazl Amoee, a senior lawmaker and spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission, said Iran is closely monitoring the disarmament and relocation of terrorist groups from the border region.

As per a security pact between Iran and Iraq, Iraqi authorities in coordination with Kurdish authorities are required to disarm and relocate from the Kurdish region of northern Iraq by September 19.

In recent weeks, a series of meetings have happened at various levels in both Iran and Iraq to work out the nuances of the security agreement that was reached between Iran and Iraq in March.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein visited Tehran last week and held discussions with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the security deal and disarming and relocating terror groups.

At a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart following their talks, the top Iranian diplomat said giving these groups “even one hour” is “detrimental” to the security of Iraq, Iran and the region.

Iran’s foreign ministry has made it clear that the ultimatum will not be extended beyond September 19.

Speculation is rife that Iran has moved its military forces close to the border as the deadline looms, suggesting that if the security pact is not implemented, Iran will consider military action.

Amoee also corroborated the reports, saying it is a warning to these terrorist groups holed up in areas close to Iran’s border with Iraq.

Explainer: Why is Iran calling for disarming of Kurdish terrorists by Sept.19?

Only a week is left until September 19 when Iraq has pledged to disarm and relocate anti-Iran terrorist groups in the Kurdistan Region in line with a security agreement.

“Iran is closely monitoring the disarmament and removal of the groups near its border and has strengthened its military equipment in the northwestern borders in a warning to these groups, who have killed many Iranians,” the lawmaker told the Press TV website.

“While Iran is pursuing the implementation of this agreement through diplomatic channels, it’s ready to address terrorist threats if the separatist groups refuse to disarm,” he hastened to add.

Amoee, however, noted that reports suggest the agreement is being implemented as per the schedule.

“On Wednesday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein visited Tehran and informed our officials that this agreement will be implemented on schedule,” he stated.

“According to reports from Iraqi officials to our country, the plan is going forward well and will be completed on schedule.”

The presence of Kurdish terrorist groups, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Komala, Kurdistan Free Life Party, and the Kurdistan Freedom Party, has been a source of tension between Iran and Iraq for years, with these groups often carrying out terrorist attacks on Iranian soil.

Following last year’s riots, triggered by the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, these groups intensified their subversive operations against Iran and smuggled weapons to their local agents.

“The main purpose of this agreement is to ensure lasting security for the borders and border cities of Iran,” Amoee told the Press TV website, adding that the deal is also in line with the Iraqi constitution, which states that Iraqi territory should not be used to threaten the security of other countries.

“This agreement includes all anti-Iranian separatist groups and there are no exceptions,” he said.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir