Tasnim � Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a �great popular force� and said it has played an important role in ensuring the Islamic Republic�s security. �





�The IRGC is a great popular military force in our country and has played a very important role in the eight-year (Iraqi imposed) war,� President Rouhani said at a meeting with senior American journalists and managers of media outlets in New York on Tuesday.

The IRGC has also taken a very effective role in protecting Iran's security and fighting against terrorism today, the president noted.

Rouhani went on to say that the IRGC, not only in Iran but also in Syria and Iraq, is combatting terrorism.

Iraq and Syria have been gripped by insurgency with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (ISIS or ISIL), currently controlling parts of their territories.

In the meantime, Iran has remained a close ally of the countries and supports their legitimate governments in the face of foreign-backed militancy.

Tehran has already made it clear that its assistance to the countries is confined to consultation and advisory help.

In recent years, the Middle East region has been plagued with Takfiri terrorist groups like Daesh, which are believed to have been created and supported by the West and some regional Arab countries.

The terrorist groups, which claim to be Islamic but whose actions are anything but, have been committing heinous crimes not only against non-Muslims but mostly against Muslims in the region.