A senior Iranian military official has hailed an agreement to increase defence cooperation with Iraq, claiming that the two nations must guard against extremists allegedly being sent into the region by Washington.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that Tehran and Baghdad have drafted a plan that calls for joint military drills and cooperation between their defence industries, as well as strengthening border security. The document will be finalized and formally signed in the near future, according to Iranian state media.

Iraqi Defense Minister Juma Anad Saadoun, accompanied by senior Iraqi commanders, travelled to Tehran to iron out the deal.

The agreement was applauded by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the country’s most senior military official, who said that it would lead to greater stability and security in both nations.

Claiming that Iraq has “faced several conspiracies in recent years,” the Iranian general accused the United States of seeking to “redeploy terrorists in the region,” making closer cooperation between the two neighbours a necessity.