Speaking at a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Latif Rashid on Saturday, Rayeesi described the presence of American troops in West Asia as destructive. He stressed that stability and security in the region can be achieved through cooperation among the regional states and in absence of foreigners.

"As much as we consider it useful to conduct negotiations between the countries of the region, we also do not consider the presence of foreign forces in the region to be beneficial," Iran's president stated.

"We consider the presence of the Americans to be a threat to security and stability in the region. Americans are looking for their own interests, not the interests of the regional nations," he stressed.

"The smallest insecurity in Iraq would be deemed insecurity in Iran. Iraq’s security matters to Iran," the president underscored.

Elsewhere in his remark, President Rayeesi underlined Iran and Iraq's determination to develop relations in various fields, saying, "Our relations are not typical, but rather special and strategic."

He further added that the level of Iran's trade with Iraq is more than ten billion dollars in worth, but it can be improved if Tehran and Baghdad agree on it.

The Iranian president also voiced hope that Rashid’s visit to Tehran would be “a turning point” in the enhancement of relations between the two countries.

The Iraqi president, for his part, said that the purpose of his trip is to emphasize the strong historical relations between the two nations of Iran and Iraq and two friendly and neighboring countries.

"We have many partnerships in all areas. Therefore, it is clear that the relations between the two countries are stable, strong and unchangeable. Iraqis will never forget the help of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Rashid stated.

"Iran helped us when we were oppressed by the former dictator and opened its borders to the Iraqis so that the Iraqi opposition could escape from the oppression of the Iraqi dictator. We will never forget Iran's support for Iraqi Kurds who were subjected to Saddam's chemical attack," he added.

"The last time that the Islamic Republic of Iran provided Iraq with aid was the arena when the Iraqis were fighting against the ISIS terrorists," the president continued, noting, "We must pay attention to the fight against drugs because it has become a scourge for the lives of nations."

"Regarding the security of the region, I am pleased to congratulate Iran on the improvement of relations with the Saudis, which I believe, will bring stability to the region," he stressed.

President Rashid and his accompanying delegation were warmly received Saturday morning by the Iranian president during a welcoming ceremony at the Saadabad Palace, where the two counterparts held talks following the event.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underlined the necessity for the settlement of the crises and problems in the region through collective cooperation among the regional states, and underscored that the presence of foreigners is harmful. They have repeatedly stated that the US should end its illegal presence and withdraw its forces from the region with no delay.

Tehran urged the neighboring countries to be extremely vigilant about any US-Israeli plan that clearly aims to disturb the stability and order of the region.

Iran says the US is the primary source of insecurity in West Asia and Washington remains responsible for the instability in the region as long as its wrong and crisis-making policies are not rectified.