Ghalibaf Highlights Soleimani Sacrifices Amid Evolving Middle East Dynamics

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has issued a series of statements regarding regional developments, highlighting the historical impact and ongoing significance of major figures associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Quds Force, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). His remarks were published on August 19 in a post shared on the social media platform X.

Reflecting on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, Ghalibaf directly attributed the current regional situation to the sacrifices made by prominent commanders Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Both commanders were killed in January 2020 during a United States drone strike near the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, an event that marked a major turning point for Iran-linked military networks in the region.

Expanding on the legacy of these commanders, the Iranian parliament speaker asserted that the prevailing conditions across the Middle East are the direct result of their past efforts and ultimate sacrifices. Ghalibaf emphasized this point by stating that the current regional situation is the direct fruit of their sacrifices.

In addition to honoring the fallen commanders, Ghalibaf addressed broader geopolitical shifts taking place in the Middle East. He observed that a new situation is taking shape across the region, characterized notably by a transformation in how individual countries manage their diplomatic and bilateral relationships.

According to Ghalibaf, this evolving framework has led to a tangible decrease in the role played by external actors. He explicitly stated that under the new circumstances emerging in the Middle East, foreign intervention in the relations between nations is rapidly diminishing.

Furthermore, the Iranian official pointed toward a perceived contraction of external authority within the region. Alongside the retreat of foreign interference, Ghalibaf noted that Israeli influence in the Middle East is similarly on the decline, framing these combined trends as a major shift in the balance of regional power.