Victory in current war will turn Iran into global powerhouse: Speaker

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, says that if his country wins its fight against the US-Israeli war of aggression, it will become a world giant and a major player on the world stage.

Qalibaf said in an audio message released on Wednesday and picked up by local news outlets that Iran will benefit from winning the war, including in terms of its economy.

“The ultimate victory in this war will make Iran a major player in the international system, and such an outcome will pave the way for the country’s spiritual and material progress,” he said.

The leader of the parliament did say, though, that the war and the resulting economic problems have hurt people in Iran.

In his speech, Qalibaf said that the country needs unity and cooperation more than ever. He asked Iranians to make sacrifices to help the country win.

“There is no better time than now for everyone to work together to reach our great goal of success and pride for our dear Iran… “Of course, achieving such a great goal comes with its own challenges,” he said.

The experienced Iranian political leader led a group of Iranian politicians to talks with the US in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on April 11 and 12. These talks took place just a few days after Pakistan helped stop the US and Israeli attacks on Iran that started in late February.

The talks broke down because of what Qalibaf and other Iranian leaders called “maximalist” US demands for a deal that would end the war of aggression for good.

He said in his message on Wednesday that the US hopes that its economic sanctions and so-called naval blockade of Iran will make the Iranian people angry and lead them to fight against their own government.

But he said that Iranians have always been able to stand up to as much pressure as it takes to protect their country and faith.