Iraq’s National Security Advisor met with senior Iranian officials in Tehran. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif contended that “foreign forces must leave the region” while affirming Iranian’s support for Iraq’s “independence, security, territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iraq”. In a separate meeting, Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami asserted that “the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq within the framework of the wise legislation approved by this country’s parliament will help the establishment and improvement of security and stability in Iraq and the region”.