Qalibaf made the remarks during a meeting with Iraqi President Nizar Amidi in Baghdad on Wednesday, saying recent wars have shown that the United States is not a protector of regional countries but a source of instability.
He said Iran and Iraq have realized that the US is the main cause of the region’s problems, while the US’ hegemonic approach and the “criminal and sinister nature” of the Zionist regime have fueled recent conflicts, inflicting losses on Iran and Iraq.
Referring to disruptions in the Persian Gulf and obstacles to oil exports during the recent war of aggression against Iran, Qalibaf blamed Washington’s warmongering for the problems affecting the Persian Gulf and energy markets. He said past experience has demonstrated that Muslim countries need one another more than ever and that the US is not their supporter.
Qalibaf further warned that Washington has moved closer to Persian Gulf and regional countries with the aim of “plundering and looting” their resources. He said the recent US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran demonstrated to regional states that the US is not a guarantor of their security, but rather a force that disrupts their peace.
The Iranian Parliament speaker said Islamic countries and the Persian Gulf states could achieve stability and security through unity and without foreign intervention, stressing that Iran and Iraq could play an effective role in this process.
For his part, Amidi described the recent war against Iran and its regional repercussions as inhumane and contrary to international rules, saying its consequences had been extensive for Iraq and the wider region.
The Iraqi president stressed that regional security can only be achieved through the security of regional countries and said Baghdad, as a supporter of regional stability, would stand by Iran.
The two sides also discussed opportunities for expanding economic ties, including the Shalamcheh-Basra railroad, dredging the Arvand River and developing border markets.