Iran’s parliament speaker says efforts by “enemies” to drive Iran and Iraq apart will instead deepen their relationship.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told an Arbaeen ceremony in the city of Karbala that history, geography and shared religious beliefs bound the countries together.

“We were two nations that refused to become a footnote in others’ narratives and did not allow our destiny to be written in Western capitals,” he said.

Ghalibaf said Tehran and Baghdad would not let foreign governments decide their futures.

He argued that the two countries should build on their security cooperation and “unite to achieve economic prosperity and development”.

Iran and Iraq should pursue joint projects that improve living standards, strengthen economic independence and curb outside influence across the region, Ghalibaf added, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.