Iran's parliament speaker says regional peace requires Tehran's involvement

TEHRAN, Iran — TEHRAN — Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Kalibaf, said lasting peace in the region and in Lebanon can only be achieved with Iran's participation. Kalibaf made the remarks during talks with senior Hezbollah officials in Tehran, according to Iranian state media. He said the Islamabad memorandum of understanding explicitly aims to protect Iran's allies and Lebanon. He described Hezbollah's resistance in its latest war as a historic turning point that demonstrated the strength of ties between Iran and the resistance groups. Kalibaf said Iran's support for the resistance front, particularly Hezbollah, is an Islamic and revolutionary duty. Kalibaf also said the United States is not a reliable party. He added that regional countries now recognize security and economic development depend on cooperation within the region, and that Islamic nations should act in solidarity.