Qalibaf: Iran and Iraq have the potential to create unprecedented opportunities

Pars Today – Iran's Majlis (parliamnet) Speaker, in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister, has emphasized the geographical and historical commonalities between the two countries, saying, "Iran and Iraq have unparalleled opportunities in bilateral relations and create irreplaceable opportunities in regional role-playing among Islamic and Arab countries."

According to a report by Pars Today citing IRIB News Agency, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, met with Ali Faleh Al-Zayadi, Prime Minister of Iraq, in Baghdad on Wednesday evening. Referring to Iran's support for Iraq in the fight against ISIS terrorists, he said: "The depth of affection between the Iranian and Iraqi peoples is such that even though Saddam's regime, instigated by the powers, waged a war between the two countries, the two nations quickly drew closer together afterward." He added: "After the ISIS attacks, the Iranian people were ready and prepared to take effective steps to defend Iraq, which demonstrates the peak and depth of Iran-Iraq friendship."

Qalibaf emphasized: "In helping Iraq, Iran made no distinction between Shia, Sunni, Kurd, Arab, or non-Arab; ethnic and religious differences were irrelevant. What mattered was defending Iraq, and from that perspective, we considered it our duty to stand by you against ISIS terrorist attacks, and we gave great martyrs in this cause."

Ali Faleh Al-Zayadi, in turn, said during the meeting: "We consider Iraq and Iran as one nation residing in two countries. Iran and Iraq share much in history and geography, and our destinies are intertwined."

The Prime Minister of Iraq said: "During the ISIS crisis, Iran was the first country to respond to Iraq's request for assistance, and this is very important to us. If anyone takes a step for Iraq, we will take great steps for them."

Meanwhile, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also met with Nizar Amidi, President of Iraq, and said: "Iran and Iraq have come to realize that the main source of all the region's problems is the United States, and the arrogant nature of that country, along with the criminal and vile spirit of the Zionist regime, have brought about the recent wars in the region, with Iran and Iraq suffering the greatest damage in these wars."

The Speaker of Iran's Parliament added that during the recent war, problems arose in the Persian Gulf and oil exports faced obstacles, and that the main culprit behind these problems and disruptions in the energy market is the United States and its warmongering. He added: "Past experience shows that Islamic countries need each other more than ever, and America is not their supporter."

He further stated: "The U.S. has drawn close to the Gulf and regional countries to plunder and pillage their resources. Regional countries know, and the Ramadan War proved to them, that the Americans are not only not protectors and guarantors of their security, but are disruptors of their stability."

Nizar Amidi, in the meeting, referred to the recent oppressive and imposed U.S. war against Iran, which affected the entire region, and said: "This war was inhumane and contrary to international norms, and its consequences for the region and Iraq were immense."

He described Iran and Iraq as one nation living in two lands and added: "Iraq possesses strategic features, natural and human resources, and rich historical depth, and Iraq's reliance and steadfastness will be based on resistance."

Amidi emphasized: "Integrated regional security will be achieved through the security of regional countries, and Iraq, as a supporter of stability in the region, will support the Islamic Republic of Iran."