Barzani: Kurdistan Region Will Never Be a Threat to Iran
Kurdistan Regional President Nechirvan Barzani described the region’s relations with iran as “positive and distinct” during the Middle East Conference (MIRI) held Wednesday evening in Erbil, according to webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency via Shafaq News.He said there are two paths in Kurdistan region-Iran relations: firstly, Iran is a neighbor with whom they share a long border. “We never wanted our relationship with Tehran to be harmed,” he stated. He added that Kurdistan is not a source of threat for Iran and does not want any hostility against neighboring countries to arise on its soil. “Our policy is to be an influence for peace in the region, not part of its crises or problems.”
Barzani highlighted economic ties between Erbil and Tehran, noting trade exchanges worth approximately $11 billion. “As my visit to Iran last year, a new chapter has opened in our relations,” he said, adding that even the Iranian president has visited Kurdistan. According to him, this progress marks a very positive turn in bilateral ties.
he reiterated: “Iran is an significant country, and we seek to expand our relations with the Islamic Republic as much as possible.The Kurdistan Region will never pose a threat to Iran as it supported us during difficult times and remains a key neighboring country.”
Barzani also noted that following his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei, “the nature and level of our bilateral relationship have substantially improved.”
The president addressed relations with Turkey as well, describing them as kind both politically and economically. “We maintain various ties with Ankara,” he said,adding that kurdistan will continue efforts to preserve and strengthen these connections.
Referring to ongoing peace talks between Turkey’s government and the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), Barzani remarked: “After my meeting with Turkey’s president, I sensed Ankara’s serious commitment toward peace-even if progress is slow.”
He stressed there is genuine determination for achieving results but cautioned patience was necessary since decades-old problems cannot be solved overnight.
Warning about PKK behavior, Barzani urged basic steps from their side: “One cannot simply wait passively for action from them-this approach is mistaken and will never succeed.”
He continued by referencing Abdullah Öcalan’s statements: “His messages are clear; if PKK does not implement these matters practically it will lead even Öcalan himself into disappointment.”
Closing remarks focused on implementation failures within PKK when issues reach execution stages: “Unfortunately, they have not fulfilled Öcalan’s wishes fully yet-this can harm Kurdish people.” Barzani called on his compatriots: “To achieve results we must take this issue more seriously.”
