Iran says only Iraqis should partake in Mosul operation

A senior Iranian official said Wednesday that only Iraqi forces have the right to participate in the ongoing operation to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul, Press TV reported.

"No other country has the right to interfere in (the internal affairs of) Iraq," Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, was quoted as saying.

"There are some countries which have deployed forces to the country without obtaining the approval of the Iraqi government. The move is in contravention of international law," Velayati said.

He dismissed the claims about Iran's direct intervention in the neighboring country, saying that Tehran only provides Baghdad with military consultation at the request of the Arab country's government.

Velayati described the interference of both regional and non-regional countries in Mosul operation as "unconstructive."

On Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkey has joined airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition during the operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group.

Yildirim warned that Ankara would respond if developments in Mosul lead to negative consequences against Turkey.

Ankara has been locked in a row with Baghdad about the presence of its troops at the Bashiqa camp in northern Iraq and over who should take part in the U.S.-backed assault on Mosul. Endit