Jafari: Cleaning Iraq of Terrorists with the Help of IRGC Commanders

The Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on Wednesday, March 10, that "cleansing areas in Iraq from terrorist groups and ISIS with the help and advice of IRGC military commanders" is one of the achievements of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, adding that "the phase of exporting the Islamic Revolution has now entered a new chapter." These remarks by Mohammad Ali Jafari come a day after Michael Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), expressed concern over Iran's increasing influence in Iraq. According to Mehr News Agency, Jafari, speaking at the 17th Assembly of Experts, added that "the Islamic Revolution is progressing well, and an example of this is the increasing export of the Islamic Revolution." He continued, saying, "Today, not only Palestine and Lebanon but also the people of Iraq and Syria acknowledge the influential role of the Islamic Revolution." The IRGC commander also stated that the slogan "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon" is, in fact, antagonistic to the fundamental goals of the Islamic Republic. Jafari's reference to this slogan is to the protesters of the 2009 presidential election results, who said, "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life is for Iran." Meanwhile, Michael Hayden expressed his concerns about Iran's "growing" influence in Iraq. According to AFP, Hayden, who served as CIA director from 2006 to 2009, made this statement during a panel discussion at the New America Foundation on March 10. He stated, "I am not comfortable with Iran's increasing influence in Iraq. I am not comfortable because the attack [on Tikrit] resembles the advance of Shiites against a Sunni city." He added, "This will become clear when they can retake Tikrit... and we see how the militias behave with the local people." Hayden noted that despite both the U.S. and Iran wanting to destroy the "Islamic State" (formerly ISIS), he believes the United States should not share intelligence with Iran regarding Iraq. He explained that "the ultimate goal of the Islamic Republic is different from ours." Hayden said, "We are looking for an inclusive government that respects minority rights and includes all major religious and ethnic groups." He concluded by stating, "It is clear to me that Iran's policy is based on Shiite dominance over the new Iraqi government, and this action itself increases Sunni dissatisfaction, which is the same dissatisfaction that ISIS uses to strengthen its movement." Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Army, stated on Saturday, March 7, that although Iran is strengthening Shiite militias in Iraq, it is unclear whether the Islamic Republic is helping in the fight against the Islamic State or acting as an obstacle to it. However, Dempsey had previously described Iran's support for Iraq in the battle against the Islamic State to drive ISIS out of Tikrit as "positive," provided that, according to him, this support does not "ignite sectarian tensions." Previously, John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, had also described the Islamic Republic's actions against the Islamic State as "positive." Iraqi forces have recently launched an attack against ISIS forces in the Tikrit area, with Iran also participating in coordinating part of this attack by sending "military advisors" to the region. Hassan Firouzabadi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic, responded on Sunday to a question from the state news agency IRNA regarding whether Iran's advisory presence in Iraq could turn into a military presence, stating: "No, Iran will not have a military presence in Iraq." In this context, communication lines of ISIS between Syria and Iraq have been "cut off," and the potential role of Iran in military operations against ISIS in Iraq has been noted. Areas north of Tikrit have been reclaimed from the Islamic State, and the Iraqi Defense Minister stated that there is no problem in receiving help from Iran.