TEHRAN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday the U.S. forces should not be present in Iraq under any excuses.
Khamenei said the U.S. forces should not be allowed to enter Iraq "under the pretext of training (Iraqi forces) or other issues," quoted Tehran Times daily.
The Iranian leader made the remarks during meeting with the visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
He urged Abadi not to trust the United States, adding that Washington and its allies are against the Iraqi unity and independence.
Khamenei also said that there is no determination by the United States and its allies to counter terrorists in the region, as the Islamic State (IS) "rose from their backing and money."
For his part, Abadi said Iraq needs the assistance of Iran in fighting the IS and later in reconstructing the country.
The Iraqi prime minister arrived in Tehran Tuesday from Riyadh, where he held talks with top Saudi officials including King Salman.
During his visit to Tehran, Abadi seeks to discuss the expansion of ties between the two neighbors besides the attempts to help Iran and Saudi Arabia reduce the tensions.
