Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Sunday highlighted the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in promoting lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, emphasising that regional peace is essential for the prosperity and development of the region and beyond.

He reiterated Bangladesh's profound condolences on the tragic demise of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and underscored the solidarity of the people of Bangladesh with the brotherly people of Iran during this difficult time.

The remarks were made when the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, met the Foreign Minister at his office to exchange views on issues of mutual interest, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, Ambassador Jahanabadi expressed his sincere appreciation to the government of Bangladesh for sending a high-level delegation, led by the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, to attend the state funeral of the late Supreme Leader of Iran.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Friday had also expressed profound condolences on the tragic demise of the Supreme Leader of Iran and condemned his brutal killing.

He conveyed the solidarity of the Government and the people of Bangladesh with the Government and the brotherly people of Iran during this period of national mourning.

The Speaker held a formal meeting with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, in Tehran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Speaker Ghalibaf warmly welcomed Speaker Hafiz Uddin and the Bangladesh delegation on the occasion of the state funeral and he highlighted the centuries-old friendship alongside deep cultural and people-to-people ties between Iran and Bangladesh.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin highly appreciated Speaker Ghalibaf's constructive role in facilitating the recent peace Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that the agreement will usher in lasting peace, stability, and prosperity for the Iranian people and the wider region.

He reaffirmed Bangladesh's total support for the ongoing peace process and expressed hope that all parties would build on this momentum to achieve a durable resolution of outstanding issues through dialogue and diplomacy.

Furthermore, the Speaker extended an official invitation to Ghalibaf to pay a state visit to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

Hafiz Uddin had arrived in Tehran on Thursday to lead the Bangladesh delegation to the state funeral, where upon arrival, the delegation was warmly received at the airport by Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, Deputy Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran.