The Iranian parliamentary delegation, headed by Ghalibaf, visited the Iraqi parliament on Wednesday, hours after they arrived in Baghdad, where talks were held with al-Halbousi and a number of Iraqi lawmakers.

The two speakers then held a private meeting.

Ghalibaf also presented a gift from the Iranian Parliament to his Iraqi counterpart, who, in turn, presented a commemorative gift from the Iraqi parliament to the Iranian speaker.

Upon arriving in Baghdad, Ghalibaf and the Iranian parliamentary delegation visited the site where Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were assassinated in a US drone attack near Baghdad in January 2020. The Iranian parliamentarians paid tribute to the two commanders.

Iran’s Parliament speaker meets Iraqi president in Baghdad

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has met with Iraqi President Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amidi during his visit to Baghdad.

Earlier in the day, Ghalibaf and an Iranian parliamentary delegation visited the site in Baghdad where Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were assassinated in a US airstrike in 2020, paying tribute to the two martyred commanders of the resistance.

During the meeting with President Amidi, Ghalibaf emphasized that the two nations have stood by each other through difficult times. He recalled that former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, enabled by American intrigue and deception, committed atrocities in both countries, but the Iranian and Iraqi peoples stood together in the post-Saddam era during the hardest of days.

Ghalibaf paid tribute to the memory of Iran’s martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who over the past four decades opened new horizons in relations between Islamic nations. He noted that the martyred Leader’s deep and insightful vision had brought these countries closer together.

Turning to recent developments, Ghalibaf referred to the US-Israeli-imposed war on Iran, stating that Iran, Iraq, and their great nations have come to understand that the United States is the root cause of all the region’s problems.

He said the US’s hegemonic nature, combined with the criminal and malevolent spirit of the Zionist regime, had fueled the recent wars, with Iran and Iraq suffering the greatest losses.

Ghalibaf also addressed challenges in the Persian Gulf during the recent conflict, placing the blame squarely on the United States and its warmongering. “The past experience shows that Islamic nations need each other more than ever, and America is not their supporter.”

He reminded that the US had drawn closer to the Persian Gulf and regional countries to plunder their resources, adding, “The countries of the region know—and the Ramadan War proved to them—that the Americans are not protectors of their security, but rather disruptors of their stability.”

In response, President Amidi referred to the recent unjust and imposed war that had affected Iran and the entire region, and described it as inhumane and contrary to international law, with severe consequences for Iraq and the region.

Amidi described Iran and Iraq as one nation living in two lands, adding that Iraq possessed strategic advantages, abundant natural and human resources, and rich historical heritage, and that Iraq would remain steadfast in its commitment to resistance.

The Iraqi president stressed that the current state of neither war nor peace between Iran and the US must come to an end, adding that Iraq too sought an end to the war.

He reiterated that comprehensive regional security could only be achieved through the cooperation of regional countries, and affirmed that Iraq, as a supporter of stability in the region, would stand by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In meeting with Ghalibaf, Iraqi PM voices gratitude for Iran’s support

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, during a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Baghdad, expressed appreciation for Iran's support for his country, particularly in the fight against Daesh.

The prime minister met with Ghalibaf and his accompanying delegation on Wednesday in Baghdad, where both sides reviewed prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Al-Zaidi emphasized the depth of Iraq-Iran relations, highlighting historical, geographical, and religious ties and commonalities, and praised Iran’s positions in support of Iraq, especially during the war against the Daesh (ISIS) terrorist group.

Ghalibaf, for his part, commended the Iraqi government’s efforts in hosting and serving Iranian pilgrims during Arbaeen religious ceremonies, and stressed Tehran’s interest in continuing to expand relations and cooperation to achieve the mutual interests of both nations.

Ghalibaf, who arrived in Baghdad earlier in the day, also met with his Iraqi counterpart Haibat al-Halbousi and Iraqi President Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amidi during his visit to Baghdad.

Ghalibaf urges stronger Iran-Iraq economic partnership during Baghdad talks

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf calls for expanding economic cooperation between Iran and Iraq, saying bilateral economic relations should match the strength of the two countries’ political and cultural ties during talks with his Iraqi counterpart on the first day of his official visit to Iraq.

Ghalibaf met Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al‑Halbousi and a group of Iraqi lawmakers, alongside an Iranian parliamentary delegation, on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments, and parliamentary cooperation.

Opening the meeting, Ghalibaf congratulated al‑Halbousi on the formation of Iraq’s parliament and his election as speaker.

He thanked the Iraqi government and people for the mass funeral procession held for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. He expressed appreciation for Iraq’s hospitality toward Arbaeen pilgrims.

“The government, the people, the tribes, and the entire Iraqi nation spared no effort in hosting the pilgrims of Imam Hussein and in the funeral procession for our martyred Imam, which brought us comfort and encouragement.”

Turning to regional affairs, Ghalibaf slammed the United States and the UK for instigating instability across the Middle East.

“The criminal United States and its interventions are responsible for all the region’s crises. The cancerous tumor of Israel, planted in our region by Britain, has brought about these losses.”

He said Iran had challenged US influence through the resilience of its people, the capabilities of its armed forces, and the leadership of the country’s commander‑in‑chief.

“Today, the United States is trapped in desperation. Whether it withdraws from war or continues it, it faces loss of credibility and mounting problems.”

Ghalibaf said Iran’s experience had demonstrated the strategic value of resistance.

“Resistance is the only path to victory, and if we are not prepared for war, negotiations will also bear no fruit.”

On bilateral cooperation, Ghalibaf emphasized the importance of strengthening parliamentary engagement through friendship groups and regular exchanges between lawmakers.

He identified the Shalamcheh–Basra railway, the dredging of the Arvand Rud, and deeper economic integration as key priorities that both parliaments could help advance in coordination with their governments.

“The weakness in our bilateral relations is most evident in economic cooperation, which is not as strong as our political and cultural relations.”

In response, Haibat al‑Halbousi welcomed the Iranian delegation and described the mass funeral procession for Iran’s martyred Leader as “a turning point in the emotional, spiritual, and political bond between the two countries.”

Referring to the recent US‑Israeli‑imposed war, he praised the Iranian people’s historic and legendary resistance against the Israeli regime’s aggression.

“The people of Iraq, the Iraqi government, and all political figures oppose the aggression of the Zionist regime against Iran. Iraq also believes Israel is a cancerous tumor and must be eliminated.”

Concluding the meeting, al‑Halbousi said the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq was imminent and stressed the need to further expand bilateral relations, particularly in the economic sector.

He also called for facilitating Iraq’s oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.