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Iran conservatives reject cooperation with US against IS

Conservative Iranian figures and media outlets have resoundedly rejected the idea of Iran joining a US-led coalition against the Islamic State.

Iraqi Shiite militia fighters hold the Islamic State flag as they celebrate after breaking the siege of Amerli by Islamic State militants, September 1, 2014.   Picture taken on September 1, 2014.  REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR44N6G
Iraqi Shiite militia fighters hold the Islamic State flag as they celebrate after breaking the siege of Amerli by Islamic State militants, Sept. 1, 2014. — REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal

The question of cooperation between Iran and the United States against the Islamic State (IS), which controls large swaths of territory inside Syria and Iraq, is once again the talk of Iranian media, with conservative outlets and officials speaking out against such a venture.

Such a cooperation is in no way possible,” said the deputy chief of staff of the armed forces, Massoud Jazayeri, when asked by Fars News Agency about the possibility. “The reason for this is that Iran stands against [IS], but America created [IS].” Iran is currently cooperating with Kurdish and Iraqi forces fighting against IS inside Iraq.

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