Qalibaf Says US-Israeli Plot to Use Iraqi Kurdistan Against Iran Was Defeated

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said the United States and Israel sought to use Iraq’s Kurdistan Region as a military and security launchpad against Iran during the 40-day war, but the alleged plan was thwarted. Speaking during a meeting with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani in Tehran on Tuesday, Qalibaf praised the Iranian nation and armed forces for what he described as successfully resisting the US-Israeli aggression that began on February 28.

Qalibaf said Washington had likely underestimated the level of resistance it would face from Iran, claiming the United States suffered both military and political setbacks. “Perhaps the Americans never thought they would face such resistance from Iran and such a defeat against the Islamic Republic,” he said, adding that the outcome demonstrated Iran’s ability to withstand pressure from the United States and Israel.

Addressing regional security, Qalibaf said the United States had attempted to conduct military and security operations against Iran from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region during the conflict. He credited what he described as cooperation from friendly forces in the region and the timely response of Iran’s armed forces with defeating the alleged plot. Qalibaf also stressed the importance of expanding economic, political and security cooperation between Iran and neighboring countries.