WANA (Nov 13) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei congratulated the people and government of Iraq on the successful holding of the country’s parliamentary elections.
Baghaei praised the increased voter turnout and the peaceful conduct of the elections, describing them as a valuable achievement. He expressed hope that the outcome would further strengthen unity, security, and progress in the “friendly and neighboring country.”
Earlier, Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader on international affairs, had also extended his congratulations to the Iraqi government and people on the successful election.
In his message, Velayati hailed what he called “a great and unprecedented victory” for the patient, brave, and resilient people of Iraq in determining their own future and shaping the destiny of the region.
He emphasized Iraq’s historical and civilizational importance, describing it as one of the most influential Arab and Islamic countries. Highlighting Iraq’s 5,000-year-old cultural heritage, Velayati referred to ancient Mesopotamia and the Sumerian civilization as among the earliest manifestations of human advancement.
Velayati also noted Iraq’s pivotal role in the flourishing of Islamic civilization, saying the country had long been one of the intellectual centers of the Muslim world.
He praised the Iraqi people’s enduring devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet Muhammad), reflected in the presence of the holy shrines of the Shi’a Imams in the country and the collective commitment of all Iraqi communities—Shi’a, Sunni, and Kurdish—to protect these sacred sites.
“The noble people of Iraq have once again demonstrated that they are the true inheritors of an ancient civilization and deep-rooted faith,” Velayati said. “The enthusiastic, transparent, and peaceful elections held in recent days symbolize the political and social maturity of the Iraqi nation and serve as an inspiring model for other countries in the region.”
He expressed confidence that this “historic election,” unprecedented in Iraq’s recent history, sent a clear message to the country’s adversaries—that no foreign power could interfere in determining Iraq’s destiny.
Velayati concluded by underlining the deep-rooted historical, cultural, religious, and civilizational bonds between Iran and Iraq, noting that such close ties are unique in the region. He said the two nations share “a bright and promising future” of continued cooperation and brotherhood.
Ali Akbar Velayati, the top foreign policy advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Social media/ WANA News Agency