Iran’s Qalibaf Arrives in Baghdad, Vows to Strengthen Regional Cooperation
Qalibaf begins Iraq visit at site commemorating slain Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the head of a high-level delegation, beginning his visit with a press conference at the site commemorating Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Speaking at the site where Soleimani and al-Muhandis were killed in a US drone strike in January 2020, Ghalibaf said he had deliberately chosen the location to begin his visit.
“I begin my visit here, at the site where Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed. This is an important symbol in the shared history between the two sides,” Ghalibaf said.
He described Soleimani and al-Muhandis as two “brave men” from Iran and Iraq who helped the region defeat ISIS, and questioned whether their killing had prevented what he called the “resistance front” from advancing.
“Did the killing of these two men prevent the resistance front?” Ghalibaf asked, while stressing that Iran would remain a powerful force in the region and that its adversaries would not be able to achieve their objectives.
Ghalibaf also said Iran and Iraq would work to strengthen their system of cooperation and that he would meet with senior Iraqi officials during his visit. He called for greater coordination among the countries of the region and expanded regional cooperation.
Turning to recent regional developments, Ghalibaf said the current situation should be closely assessed to determine who would ultimately emerge victorious.
“Everyone saw and understood Iran’s power during the 40-day war in Ramadan, and realized that Iran is one of the sources of power in this region,” he said.
The Iranian parliament speaker further argued that Islamic countries in the region need to expand and develop areas of cooperation and establish “strong and sustainable relations.”
He said Iran was pursuing efforts toward that goal and reiterated that his Iraq visit would include meetings with a number of senior government officials.
Ghalibaf’s visit comes as Tehran and Baghdad maintain close political and security ties, with Iran continuing to emphasize regional coordination and cooperation with its allies.