A senior Iranian official says the Islamic Republic has no direct involvement in military operations and conflicts of other states, including the Iraqi battle to liberate the Daesh-held city of Mosul.
Ali Akbar Velayati, who advises Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei�on international affairs, made the comments�on the sidelines of a Wednesday meeting with former Swedish Prime Minister and current Co-chairman of the European Council on Foreign Relation, Nils Daniel Carl Bildt.
�The Islamic Republic is not directly involved in any conflict or operation in any country,� Velayati asserted.
�Given the experiences of the Islamic Republic�s forces, Iran is on an advisory mission at the invitation of the Iraqi government�and provides the necessary advice to the country,� Velayati said.
Iran�s presence in Syria is likewise of an advisory nature and authorized by the respective government.
Velayati also denied that a pending visit by President of Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Masoud Barzani to Tehran had anything to do with the upcoming Mosul liberation operation.
�People who are responsible for governing Iraq -- [our] Kurdish, Arab, Sunni, and Shia friends -- will be warmly welcomed whenever they wish to travel to Iran. Such trips are not subject to any condition.�
�Europe can do more�
He, meanwhile, said Europe could play a more independent and positive role in resolving regional conflicts.
Those fighting in Syria belong to 80 different nationalities, including European ones, he said, �This can endanger the future of world peace.�
�Preservation of Syria�s territorial integrity is of special importance and is definitely not possible through any military solution,� he added.
Bildt, for his part, said he had traveled to Iran with the aim of strengthening ties between Tehran and the Council of Europe, and said he had �constructive� meetings during his stay in the Islamic Republic.