Iran denies returning 130 military aircrafts to Iraq

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Marzieh Afkham denied reports that Iran returned 130 military aircrafts to Iraq; the aircrafts had been held for more than 20 years.

Afkham said: “The news has been denied by the Iraqi authorities, and we have nothing to add about these unfounded allegations but to deny them.”

He also denied claims that Iranian soldiers, led by commander of the Al-Aqsa Force, Qassem Soleimani, were fighting in Iraq. “The allegations that Iranian soldiers, and especially commander Qassem Soleimani, were fighting in Iraq are untrue.”

Afkham pointed out that Iraq has not asked for Iran’s help, adding that “if Iraq requested our help, we will examine it in the context of international standards and our relationship with it”.

A spokesman for the Office of the Adjutant General of the Iraqi armed forces, Qassim Atta said last week that “Iran returned to Iraq 130 military aircraft fitted with weapons which Iran has held since 1991”, adding that the aircrafts are provided with sophisticated weapons, and will participate in the battles against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq.