Tehran should intensify diplomatic efforts to mend strained relations with the Iraqi Kurdish region given its strategic importance, particularly now that sanctions are weighing on the Iranian economy, a senior political analyst said.
“Whether we like it or not, Tehran-Erbil relations experienced serious ups and downs after the independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan,” Sirous Borna, an expert on Iraqi affairs, said in a recent interview with the Iranian Diplomacy website.
He was referring to last year’s referendum in the region, in which Kurds voted overwhelmingly to break away from Iraq, defying the central government in Baghdad.
The vote—which Iran had strongly opposed—was later ruled unconstitutional by Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court, leading to Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani giving up his position as president.
Turkey and Iran, who have their own Kurdish minorities, adopted a series of countermeasures against Kurdish northern Iraq in coordination with the Baghdad government, with Iran suspending flights to the region and closing several border crossings.
Later, direct flights were resumed and land crossings were reopened.
Deep Rifts
Borna said the issue caused deep rifts between Tehran and Erbil and despite Iran’s efforts to ameliorate the situation, the wounds have not healed yet.
“Many steps have been taken so far to change the negative view toward Iran in Erbil. There have also been exchanges of visits by officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan,” he said.
So it can be said that they both appreciate the need to patch up their bruised ties, he added.
However, the expert maintains that Barzani still holds political grudges against Iran following the referendum, highlighted by his recent increased interaction with certain Persian Gulf Arab states.
That is why the Iranian government should encourage a visit by the former Iraqi Kurdistan president to Tehran, Borna stressed.
“I believe the Islamic Republic of Iran should seriously pursue the strengthening of relations with the Iraqi Kurdish region in 2019 through a wise diplomatic and political approach because a common border, cultural and religious commonalities and shared political views have made the Iraqi Kurdistan region important to Iran,” he said.
Sanctions Era
The expert on Iraqi affairs said the fact that Iran is currently facing renewed US economic sanctions makes it all the more important to forge closer relations with neighbors, including Iraqi Kurdistan as part of a united Iraq, since bilateral trade can help reduce the impact of sanctions.
“So we have to redouble diplomatic efforts to make the situation ripe for the expansion of trade ties between Tehran and Erbil,” Borna said.
Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif can play an influential role in bringing the two sides closer through the “art of diplomacy”, but his efforts may be hampered by the parallel diplomacy that exists in the area of foreign policy, he added.
