Iran, Iraq, Syria, Russia officials hold ‘anti-terrorism’ meeting – Tehran

Military and security officials from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Russia held a meeting in Baghdad on Thursday to coordinate “anti-terrorism” efforts, according to Iran’s Defense Ministry. “Cooperation in intelligence between the four countries for common aims and anti-terrorism missions has been successful in restoring stability and security, and it should form the basis for future cooperation,” Defense Minister Gen. Amir Hatami said in a statement from the Iraqi capital. The countries had played an “important role in the defeat” of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) in both Iraq and Syria, AFP quoted him as saying. The meeting came on the same day that Iraq said its Air Force carried out a raid on IS positions in Syria.