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Islamic State: Iran rejects requests to help fight Isis in international coalition Islamic State: Iran rejects requests to help fight Isis in international coalition
(about 3 hours later)
Iran has ruled out fighting the Islamic State (Isis) in an international coalition and rejected America's request for co-operation to combat the group.Iran has ruled out fighting the Islamic State (Isis) in an international coalition and rejected America's request for co-operation to combat the group.
An Iranian delegate was not present at today's international summit attempting to co-ordinate the global response to Isis, which is waging a bloody campaign to establish an Islamic caliphate straddling Syria and Iraq.An Iranian delegate was not present at today's international summit attempting to co-ordinate the global response to Isis, which is waging a bloody campaign to establish an Islamic caliphate straddling Syria and Iraq.
France had invited the Shia-majority country to attend, despite opposition from American officials, but the offer was refused.France had invited the Shia-majority country to attend, despite opposition from American officials, but the offer was refused.
The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Iranian state television his government privately refused American requests for co-operation against Isis, warning that another US incursion would result “in the same problems they faced in Iraq in the past 10 years".The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Iranian state television his government privately refused American requests for co-operation against Isis, warning that another US incursion would result “in the same problems they faced in Iraq in the past 10 years".
"I said no because they have dirty hands," he said in a statement on his official website."I said no because they have dirty hands," he said in a statement on his official website.
A spokesperson from the US State Department declined to comment on the details of American approaches to Iran but said the countries "are not and will not co-ordinate militarily".A spokesperson from the US State Department declined to comment on the details of American approaches to Iran but said the countries "are not and will not co-ordinate militarily".
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, insisted that Syria and Iran are “natural allies” in the fight against the extremists and therefore must be engaged, according to Russian news agencies.Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, insisted that Syria and Iran are “natural allies” in the fight against the extremists and therefore must be engaged, according to Russian news agencies.
“The extremists are trying to use any disagreements in our positions to tear apart the united front of states acting against them,” he said. “The extremists are trying to use any disagreements in our positions to tear apart the united front of states acting against them,” he said. US officials have said some Middle Eastern countries have already offered to bomb Isis targets or help the US mission in Iraq and Syria, without specifying which nations were involved.
Francois Hollande at the Paris summit on Iraq with ministers from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on 15 September US officials have said some Middle Eastern countries have already offered to bomb Isis targets or help the US mission in Iraq and Syria, without specifying which nations were involved.
Officials declined to identify which countries made the offers but Saudi Arabia is believed to be on the list as well as the UAE, which recently bombed Islamists in Libya.Officials declined to identify which countries made the offers but Saudi Arabia is believed to be on the list as well as the UAE, which recently bombed Islamists in Libya.
Iraq's president, Fouad Massoum, who said he regretted Iran's absence, said his country needed the support of its neighbours but not necessarily military aid.Iraq's president, Fouad Massoum, who said he regretted Iran's absence, said his country needed the support of its neighbours but not necessarily military aid.
President François Hollande told delegates from more than 20 countries, including the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, that there was "no time to lose" while opening the conference in Paris.President François Hollande told delegates from more than 20 countries, including the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, that there was "no time to lose" while opening the conference in Paris.
He had already committed French reconnaissance jets to fly to Iraq to help Government forces and US air strikes.He had already committed French reconnaissance jets to fly to Iraq to help Government forces and US air strikes.
Australia has also promised 10 military aircraft and 600 personnel, but not combat troops.Australia has also promised 10 military aircraft and 600 personnel, but not combat troops.
The murder of David Haines and threats to kill another British hostage added urgency to the calls for a coherent strategy against the brutal Sunni insurgency, which now controls more than a third of Iraq and swathes of Syria.The murder of David Haines and threats to kill another British hostage added urgency to the calls for a coherent strategy against the brutal Sunni insurgency, which now controls more than a third of Iraq and swathes of Syria.
Up to 500 British citizens are believed to be fighting with Isis along with hundreds of foreign extremists from around the world.Up to 500 British citizens are believed to be fighting with Isis along with hundreds of foreign extremists from around the world.
It is one of the richest terrorist groups in history and rakes in more than £1.8 million a day from oil smuggling, human trafficking, theft and extortion, according to US intelligence officials and experts.It is one of the richest terrorist groups in history and rakes in more than £1.8 million a day from oil smuggling, human trafficking, theft and extortion, according to US intelligence officials and experts.
The Iraqi President, Fouad Massoum, called for a co-ordinated military and humanitarian approach, as well as regular strikes against territory in the hands of the extremists and the elimination of their funding.The Iraqi President, Fouad Massoum, called for a co-ordinated military and humanitarian approach, as well as regular strikes against territory in the hands of the extremists and the elimination of their funding.
“There can be no sanctuary,” Massoum said. “We have to dry up their sources of financing.”“There can be no sanctuary,” Massoum said. “We have to dry up their sources of financing.”
Additional reporting by APAdditional reporting by AP