Qalibaf attends Khamenei memorial in Karbala
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf recently conducted a high-level visit to Iraq, centering on a trip to Karbala to attend a ceremony marking 40 days since the burial of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During the event, which was attended by religious figures, tribal leaders, and official delegations, Qalibaf emphasized the deep historical, geographical, and religious bonds between Iran and Iraq. He praised the strong turnout at the ceremony as a reflection of the brotherly ties that unite the two populations.
A primary theme of these discussions was the mutual rejection of Western influence. Qalibaf asserted that both nations have successfully resisted attempts by US-led powers to dictate their futures, arguing that Tehran and Baghdad must continue to ensure their fates are not written in Western capitals. He framed the relationship as a source of regional strength built on resistance and national steadfastness.
Beyond political and security alignment, the Iranian Speaker urged a strategic shift toward concrete economic development. He called for the transition of longstanding security cooperation into joint projects that foster shared prosperity and improve living conditions for citizens in both countries. Qalibaf argued that while the two nations have stood together during times of crisis, the current priority must be accelerating stability and economic welfare.
Complementing these sentiments, Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aboudi reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to its security agreement with Tehran. Al-Aboudi noted that Iraq's stability is intrinsically linked to the wider region and emphasized the government's efforts to maintain a state monopoly over weapons. The visit concluded as a clear signal of Tehran's push to deepen bilateral ties as a means of curbing foreign interference and bolstering regional security.
