Brief Analysis of Ghalibaf’s Visit to Iraq
WANA (Aug 20) – Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, visited Iraq at a time when the region is facing heightened U.S. military, security and economic pressure on Iran, alongside continued tensions following the recent war. Against this backdrop, the level of meetings held in Baghdad and the issues discussed made the visit more significant than a routine parliamentary consultation.
During the visit, Ghalibaf held meetings with Iraq’s senior officials, discussing regional developments, the Strait of Hormuz, the resistance and ways to counter economic pressure. The key takeaways from the visit can be summarized as follows:
1. The visit came amid growing U.S. pressure on Iran
Ghalibaf’s visit took place as U.S. military, security and economic pressure on Iran has intensified. The talks between Tehran and Baghdad can therefore be viewed as part of broader efforts by the two countries to coordinate their positions in response to the latest regional developments.
2. Meetings with Iraq’s top officials
During the visit, Ghalibaf met with Iraq’s senior political figures. The level of these meetings underscored the importance of Tehran-Baghdad relations and Iraq’s sensitivity to developments involving Iran.
3. Baghdad’s emphasis on standing with Iran
In their meetings with Ghalibaf, Iraqi officials congratulated Iran on what they described as its victory in the recent war and stressed their continued support and solidarity with Iran. The position reflects Baghdad’s intention to maintain and strengthen its relations with Tehran amid the region’s changing dynamics.
4. Iraq’s social climate after the war
Another notable aspect of the visit was the social climate in Iraq following the recent wars. The assessment presented during the discussions was that Iraqi public sentiment has become more sympathetic and supportive of Iran, a development that could also influence the political atmosphere and bilateral relations.
5. The Strait of Hormuz and the resistance as shared priorities
The Strait of Hormuz and the future of the resistance were among the main issues discussed by Ghalibaf and Iraqi officials. Given the strait’s importance to regional energy security and global trade, Hormuz has become a key issue in Tehran-Baghdad consultations.
6. Emphasis that the Hormuz crisis stems from U.S. actions
On the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, the Iraqi side emphasized that the root of the current crisis lies in U.S. policies and actions rather than in Iran’s policies. This position adds significance to Baghdad’s stance on developments surrounding the strategic waterway.
Ghalibaf Meets with Iraqi President During Visit to Iraq on Aug 19, 2026. Social media/ WANA News Agency
7. Iraq’s continued support for the resistance
While some media narratives have suggested that Iraq is changing its position toward resistance groups, Iraqi officials reaffirmed their support for the resistance during their meetings with Ghalibaf. This indicates that the issue remains an important part of the strategic dialogue between Tehran and Baghdad.
8. Exploring ways to counter economic pressure
On the economic front, the two sides also discussed joint mechanisms to address economic pressure and what they described as economic warfare. Strengthening economic cooperation and finding ways to mitigate the impact of sanctions and external pressure were among the other key issues raised during the talks.