Iran Minister of Defense on Iraqi crisis

Iranian Minister of Defense Ali Shakhmani said he is convinced Iraq will be exposed to an American military strike very soon, and he said the strike would not be restricted or symbolic, but very fierce.

He said his country rejects a US attack on Iraq, considering that Israel will benefit to a great extent from the US strike.

The minister referred to Iran's desire to establish military cooperation with the Gulf countries, confirming that the Iranian military political strategy is working on establishing military cooperation and having joint maneuvers with the U.A.E., Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Finally, the minister said the region's countries cannot accept any military action against Iraq.