KRG Seeks Improved Relations

The deputy parliament speaker of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region said fostering relations with Tehran is a top priority for the region.

Jaafar Imniki made the remarks while visiting the Iranian Consulate in Erbil to extend his people’s felicitations on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979, IRNA reported.  

“Iraqi Kurds truly want to strengthen their relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Imniki said, adding that “relations with Iran have always been a source of pride for Iraq’s Kurdish people and officials.”

Relations between Tehran and Erbil, the seat of the Kurdistan Regional Government, soured after the latter decided to unilaterally hold an illegal secession referendum last year in their landlocked territory in spite of the federal government’s disapproval as well as objections by Iran and Turkey—KRG’s two main neighbors and trading partners.

Relations have since improved when KRG in essence backtracked from its secessionist position, saying it would respect the Iraqi constitution, which has clearly banned a secession motion.