Karbala: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf affirmed today that the deep-rooted ties and relations between the Iraqi and Iranian peoples are deeply embedded in history, and that they have been brothers and friends in the most difficult times. He stressed the necessity of strengthening and developing economic cooperation between the two countries.

According to Iraqi News Agency, in a speech delivered in the holy city of Karbala, on the occasion of the fortieth day since the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ghalibaf said, “The Iraqi people have demonstrated a historic stance by holding a magnificent funeral procession for the martyred leader.” He explained that his presence in Karbala was to express his gratitude and appreciation to the Iraqi people for this fraternal stance.

He added, “The enemies of Iran and Iraq have made strenuous efforts to distance the two countries from each other, but the result has been greater rapprochement and solidarity.” He emphasized, “We were brothers and friends with the Iraqis in the most difficult circumstances and at every juncture, and we stood shoulder to shoulder in facing various challenges.” The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament called for “capitalizing on these shared historical ties to strengthen bilateral cooperation and elevate economic relations between Baghdad and Tehran in a way that serves the interests of both nations.”