“I’m pleased to have met President Masoud Pezeshkian of the Islamic Republic of Iran on his first day in the office. I look forward to working together to advance the relations between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with Iran,” Barzani said in a post on X.
Pezeshkian was sworn in on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by dozens of foreign dignitaries, including President Barzani.
In their meeting, Barzani “reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region sees Iran as an important neighbor and works to develop the relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with Iran,” read a statement from his office.
Barzani said Erbil would like to increase trade with its neighbour and facilitate Iranian tourists visiting southern Iraq through the Kurdistan Region.
He also invited Pezeshkian to visit Erbil.
While in Tehran, Barzani also met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday and with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday.
Barzani’s visit builds upon his diplomatic trip to Tehran in May, during which he met with top Iranian officials, including Ghalibaf, to discuss mechanisms for relations and cooperation. The trip played a large role in strengthening ties between Tehran and Erbil, Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadeq told Rudaw at the time.
The Kurdistan Region and Iran enjoy good ties. During a forum in Sulaimani in April, Barzani said that Iran has contributed to the economic “success” of the Kurdistan Region.
