BAGHDAD (AP) – The Iraqi defense minister said Monday that his government is comfortable asking for and receiving help from Iran, a major U.S. adversary.
“We are in a state of war,” Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said, which requires Iraq to seek foreign assistance.
He spoke at a news conference with the top U.S. general, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was on a brief visit to Baghdad. Iraq has been relying on military assistance from both the U.S. and Iran in its struggle against Islamic State extremists who have captured control of about one-third of Iraq and Syria.
The U.S. worries that Iran is taking too big a role in Iraqi affairs, but al-Obeidi dismissed that notion.
“I think the situation is balanced,” the defense minister said, speaking through an interpreter. “The situation is acceptable to us.”