Iran says it will strongly defend itself against any military or economic aggression.

Addressing a news conference in Baghdad with his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed al-Hakim, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif also called on European states to do more to preserve a nuclear agreement his country signed with them.

He said Iran wants to build balanced relations with its Gulf Arab neighbors and that it has proposed signing a non-aggression pact with them.

On the occasion, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim said Iraq stands with Iran and is willing to act as an intermediary between its neighbor and the United States.

Iraq has opposed unilateral sanctions imposed by United States on Iran and proposed to mediate if asked.

This was stated by Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Jawad Zarif in Baghdad today.

Al-Hakim said we stand with our neighbor Iran and we affirm that the economic blockade is useless and causes great suffering to the Iranian people.