President Nechirvan Barzani emphasizes commitment to peaceful relations with Iran

In response to recent claims by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) alleging the presence of secret Mossad bases in Erbil, President Nechirvan Barzani of the Kurdistan Region assured on Monday that the region would not pose a threat to neighboring Iran.

Attending a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Kerman bombing in the Iranian consulate in Erbil, Barzani stated, "We have emphasized in the past and now that we will not become a source of threat to our neighbors, especially Iran." The IRGC had previously threatened to launch attacks on Erbil amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel.

Acknowledging the significance of the relationship with Iran, Barzani expressed a desire for continued good relations, stating, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is an important neighbor of ours, and we want to continue to have good relations with them. I think our relations with the Islamic Republic are good, and we hope they will improve."

Responding to the Mossad base allegations, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani reiterated that there are no Israeli bases in the Kurdistan Region. This follows a pro-Iran militia's claim of striking an Israeli base in Erbil with a drone, which was promptly denied by Kurdish authorities.

In March 2022, Iran launched a missile attack on Erbil, claiming it targeted a "strategic center of the Zionist conspiracy." Kurdish authorities vehemently rejected the accusation, and a fact-finding committee established by the Iraqi parliament found no evidence of spying activities in the attacked area.

President Barzani condemned the recent terrorist attack in Kerman, where 92 people were killed and 284 injured in two explosions near the cemetery where Iranian top commander Qasem Soleimani is buried. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the blasts. Barzani expressed the need for regional cooperation to combat terrorism and thanked Iran for its continuous support in the fight against ISIS.

"The terrorist ISIS is a regional phenomenon that exists in our region. We must continue to cooperate and work with each other to defeat these terrorists," Barzani stated, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in countering terrorism in the region.