Iraqi president calls for reducing Mideast tensions

By Idris Okuducu</p> <p>ISTANBUL (AA) – Iraqi President Barham Salih called for reducing tensions in the Middle East while highlighting the importance of combating terrorism.</p> <p>Salih made the statements in a meeting Tuesday with Kenneth McKenzie, commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad.</p> <p>Salih emphasized the need to reduce tensions in the region in the context of strengthening international security and consolidating joint action.</p> <p>McKenzie also noted that the U.S. would continue to support Iraqi forces in eliminating terrorism.</p> <p>The U.S delegation’s visit came a day after the Trump administration’s unprecedented action of designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) a &quot;foreign terrorist organization”.</p> <p>Trump said the designation &quot;recognizes the reality that Iran is not only a state sponsor of terrorism but that the IRGC actively participates in, finances and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft&quot;.</p> <p>In response to Washington's decision, Iran's National Security Council officially designated CENTCOM as a “terrorist organization”.</p> <p>In a statement Tuesday, Iran’s General Staff accused Washington of protecting Israel and destabilizing the region by “supporting terrorists”.</p> <p>*Writing by Dilara Hamit