Qalibaf, Halbousi Discuss Regional Tensions, Iraq-Iran Ties in Baghdad
Halbousi said the Iraqi people, government, and political forces oppose Israel’s aggression against Iran. He described Israel as a “cancerous tumor that must be eradicated.”
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi in Baghdad on Wednesday, during the first stop of his visit to Iraq, with discussions focusing on regional developments and expanding bilateral relations.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Qalibaf blamed the United States for what he described as the region’s ongoing problems and crises, saying that U.S. intervention was the “main cause” of instability.
He claimed that Iran’s resistance and military capabilities had pushed back U.S. dominance, arguing that Washington now faced difficulties in both continuing and withdrawing from the war. Qalibaf also stressed that “defense is the only path to victory,” saying countries must be prepared for war if they want negotiations to produce results.
For his part, Halbousi said the Iraqi people, government, and political forces oppose Israel’s aggression against Iran. He described Israel as a “cancerous tumor that must be eradicated.”
Halbousi also highlighted the approaching withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and called for stronger economic ties between Baghdad and Tehran. He further urged efforts to facilitate Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Qalibaf responded by reiterating that U.S. involvement and wars were, in his view, major causes of instability and disruptions to regional trade, suggesting that such problems could be addressed by ending U.S. intervention.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi also met with Qalibaf in Baghdad to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation. The two sides highlighted the historical, geographical, and religious ties between Iraq and Iran, as well as their shared interests.
Al-Zaidi praised Iran’s support for Iraq during the war against ISIS, while Qalibaf expressed appreciation for Baghdad’s efforts to host Iranian pilgrims, particularly during the annual Arba'in pilgrimage.
The visit comes amid longstanding political, economic, security, and religious ties between Iraq and Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last visited Iraq on July 7, when he met with Al-Zaidi during a visit to attend a funeral ceremony for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.