TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s president pledged Saturday to help Iraq fight militants surging through its north if asked, including potentially assisting U.S. forces if it decides on taking military action.

The comments by President Hassan Rouhani don’t necessarily represent the last word on any military assistance to Iraq in its battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. All final military decisions in the Islamic Republic rest with its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.