Qalibaf says Iran, Iraq to shape new regional order
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said Iran and Iraq are poised to play a decisive role in shaping a new regional order, claiming that the United States has suffered a decisive defeat in its military and political confrontation with the Islamic Republic.
Speaking during a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday with Faeq Zidan, head of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, Qalibaf highlighted what he described as the deep historical ties between the two countries and the changing geopolitical landscape of West Asia, Press TV reports.
Qalibaf said the United States launched its recent conflict with Iran with the aim of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and expanding American influence across the Islamic world.
However, he said those objectives had failed.
“Thanks to the blood of the martyrs, the determination of the valiant Iranian nation and the efforts of the Resistance Front, they clearly failed, and the entire world has acknowledged this reality,” Qalibaf said.
Addressing continued US economic pressure on Iran, the parliament speaker dismissed American threats.
“America failed in its military and political war against Iran, and it will also fail in its economic actions,” he said.
Describing the current period as a “sensitive and historic” juncture, Qalibaf said there were clear signs that a new regional order was emerging.
He also welcomed the planned withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq, calling it a “historic honour for the Iraqi government and people”, and expressed hope that the withdrawal would be completed across both Iraqi territory and airspace.
Qalibaf further warned of what he described as broader regional implications of the recent conflict, claiming that Israel’s strategic plans involved drawing other countries in the region into war.
“If Israel had succeeded in its war against Iran, it would have moved on to target other countries in the region,” he said.
To counter such threats, he urged Islamic countries to put aside divisive issues and strengthen unity.
Referring to solidarity shown during the war in Gaza, Qalibaf recalled a statement by the late Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani that “Shia and Sunni are not only brothers, but we would give our lives for the Sunni”.
In response, Zidan conveyed what he described as a message of solidarity from the Iraqi government and people to Iran following what Tehran has called a US-Israeli war of aggression.
He said Baghdad was ready to deepen cooperation with Tehran, adding that strong Iran-Iraq relations could serve as a foundation for broader regional security and cooperation arrangements.
“Cooperation, agreement and coalition-building among regional countries is the only way out of insecurity, and I believe this reality is very close,” Zidan said.
Zidan also paid tribute to the large funeral processions held in Iraq for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, describing the turnout as a spontaneous and popular expression of respect.
“We will never forget the positive stances of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward Iraq, nor will we forget the Iranian martyrs, especially General Soleimani, who was martyred in Iraq,” he said.
He described the deaths of General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as a “divine message” reflecting the deep solidarity between the Iranian and Iraqi peoples.
Concluding the meeting, Zidan said the unity and harmony between the two nations constituted an “eternal solidarity” that would continue to shape the region’s future.
Earlier, the Iraqi official held talks with the head of Iran’s judiciary, during which both sides stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
The two sides also noted that legal and judicial cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad had expanded significantly in recent years and had been institutionalised through a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding.
During his visit, Zidan also met President Masoud Pezeshkian and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Major General Mohsen Rezaei.