McKinsey: We deterred Iran; Baghdad wants a continued US military presence

The commander of the US Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie, said during a video conference that the US presence had successfully limited the activities of Iran and ISIS, according to Agence France-Presse.

McKinsey added that Iran had reduced its attacks recently "based on the hope that he will ask us to leave Iraq through a political process for the Iraqi government."

He stressed that "the government of Iraq has clearly indicated that it wants to maintain its partnership with the United States and the Coalition forces while we continue to end the war against ISIS."

In a video conference held by the National Council for American-Arab Relations, McKinsey mentioned estimates saying that ISIS still has a force of 10,000 supporters in the regions of Iraq and Syria, indicating that the organization remains a real threat.

"The progress made by the Iraqi security forces has allowed the United States to reduce its current military capabilities in Iraq," he said.

However, he stressed that US and Coalition forces should be there to help prevent the re-formation of ISIS as a cohesive force capable of planning major attacks.

"I believe, today, that Iran has been largely deterred, because the regime realizes now that we have both the ability and the will to respond," he said.

J.O