ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi met with senior Kurdistan Region officials on Monday to discuss developments in Iraq and the region as well as means to enhance ties between Erbil and Tehran.
After his meeting with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, the Iranian diplomat stated, “We held warm and good discussions,” emphasizing the “many shared values that connect” Iran and the Kurdistan Region.
On his part, Barzani described Iran as “an important ally” and emphasized the “historic relations” between Erbil and Tehran that “were established on the principles of good neighborliness and joint interests.” He added that having strong relations with Iran is “necessary and important for strengthening regional stability.”
Barzani additionally underscored the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to fostering regional peace and stability asserting that it “will not become a source of threat to its neighbours,” particularly Iran.
Takht Ravanchi also met with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, discussing regional developments and ways to enhance economic and trade relations between Erbil and Tehran, stated Barzani on X. “We underlined the importance of strong bilateral relations, economic reform, and trade cooperation to drive mutual prosperity,” Barzani added.
Additionally, Takht Ravanchi held a meeting with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani.
The Iranian diplomat’s discussions in Erbil notably followed his Sunday meetings in Baghdad, where he met with Iraqi officials, including National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji and Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Muhsin al-Mandalawi
Commenting on his meetings in Baghdad, Takht Ravanchi stated that he exchanged views with Iraqi officials “on vital and important issues” between Iran and Iraq “in this challenging time for West Asia.”
Importantly, Takht Ravanchi also met with his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Bahr Al Ulum in Baghdad. In a statement posted on X, the Iranian diplomat highlighted that the two officials held “the seventh meeting of political consultations between the two countries.”
Though no details about the latter meeting were provided, it may well be connected to the comprehensive security agreement signed by Baghdad and Tehran in 2023, with aims of tightening control over the Iran-Iraq borders and “reducing and managing unwanted security challenges,” according to a March 2023 statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
In an interview with Rudaw in early February, Iranian Consul General to Erbil, Faramaz Asadi, stated that while significant progress has been made in implementing the agreement, the final two or three phases are still underway.
