Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said Tuesday that establishment of stability and security in Iraq would strengthen regional security.
In a reaction to recent remarks made by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Asefi said, "Iran has always took steps to establish stability and security in Iraq because it considers security and stability in that country as (a factor) in strengthening t he security of the region."
According to IRNA, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran does not allow any group to infiltrate into Iraq through Iranian borders and will encounter any illegal measures strongly. "It is surprising that the US Defense Secretary does not tend to understand realities in Iraq and in the region," Asefi added.
On Monday, Rumsfeld warned Iran and Syria about fighters crossing their borders into Iraq. "Syria and Iran have not been helpful to the people of Iraq," he told journalists during a visit to Baghdad. "Indeed they have been unhelpful."
"We know Iran has harbored Al-Qaeda, we know they had people moving across the border. They were certainly aware of that." "We know Syria has been a hospitable place for escaping Iraqis" following the US-led invasion of Iraq last year, he added.
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