Qalibaf: Iran and Iraq refused to let Western governments determine their fate

Pars Today — Iran’s Parliament Speaker said at a ceremony in Iraq marking the 40th day since the martyrdom of the leader of the Islamic Revolution that the Iraqi people had demonstrated their brotherhood by turning out for the funeral of the martyred leader and had astonished the world with their presence.

According to Pars Today, citing IRIB, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, said at the ceremony on Thursday that every step taken by the enemy to distance Iran and Iraq from each other had brought the two countries two steps closer. He said what has brought Tehran and Baghdad closer is their refusal to allow foreign capitals to determine their fate.

“We stood with Iraq through its difficulties, and we will share in its successes,” he said.

The Iranian parliament speaker stressed: “History will record that Iran and Iraq were two nations that refused to become footnotes in other people’s narratives and did not allow their fate to be written in the capitals of Western governments.”

Qalibaf added that through resistance, the steadfastness of their peoples, and mutual assistance, Iran and Iraq had managed to establish security in their countries. He said the two nations must now join forces to promote economic prosperity, progress, and development in both countries.

“We are not here to repeat empty words,” he said, adding that they have a clear agenda to enhance security and stability in both countries, curtail foreign interference, and launch projects that improve the lives of the two peoples.

The Iranian parliament speaker concluded: “We have been friends and brothers through the most difficult days. We stood together in times of hardship, and we will stand together in times of success. In a word, our strength lies in our brotherhood.”