The President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Bafel Talabani, asserted on Tuesday that Iraq and the Kurdistan region will not become havens for elements that threaten the security of neighboring countries, especially Iran. This was stated during talks in Tehran with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which focused on border security and economic cooperation.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi and Talabani discussed the relations between Iran, Iraq, and the Kurdistan region, as well as security issues at the border and ways to expand trade cooperation.
Araghchi noted that Iran enjoys "good and constructive" relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan region, emphasizing Tehran's readiness to develop economic and trade relations, particularly with Sulaymaniyah.
Border Security Concerns
The security issue was a prominent agenda in the meeting, with the Iranian Foreign Minister referring to "terrorist attempts" at the Iran-Iraq border.
Araghchi suggested that the United States and Israel might benefit from these attempts, although the statement did not detail the nature of this involvement or which entities are implicated in these accusations.
Talabani, on the other hand, reaffirmed that the Iraqi side is keen on preventing its territory from being used to harm the security of neighboring countries.
He stated that they "will not allow Iraqi and Iraqi Kurdistan lands to become refuges for elements that threaten the security of neighboring countries, foremost being Iran."
Trade with Sulaymaniyah
Aside from security issues, both parties expressed the desire to expand economic and trade relations, with Araghchi highlighting Iran's readiness to develop trade and relations specifically with Sulaymaniyah.
Talabani thanked Iran for its support to Iraq, pointing to the historical ties between the two countries and peoples, and affirmed the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's intention to strengthen political and trade relations with Tehran.
The talks in Tehran come amid ongoing sensitivities concerning the border issues between Iran and the Kurdistan region, which remain a significant security topic in bilateral relations.
Following his meeting with Araghchi, Talabani also met with Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as part of his visit to Tehran.