President Barzani pushes to boost Erbil-Tehran ties, elevate Kurdistan Region's status
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani is leading a high-profile visit to Iran aimed at deepening bilateral relations between Erbil and Tehran and strengthening regional cooperation. The visit marks a significant moment in the ongoing improvement of ties between the two sides and is part of a strategic effort to bolster the Kurdistan Region's influence on both the global and regional fronts.
The meetings
President Barzani began his visit with a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.
In a statement on X, he noted that they discussed ways to 'further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on mutual interests.'
'We also discussed latest developments, emphasizing the critical need for peace and stability in the region,' he added.
The Kurdistan Region Presidency further reported that both leaders 'reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and economic development.'
President Barzani stressed the Kurdistan Region's 'commitment to fostering good neighborly relations based on shared interests and mutual respect,' while also underscoring the enduring partnership and ties between the Kurdistan Region and Iran.'
The two leaders also discussed broader regional developments, with both sides emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability, resolving conflicts peacefully, and addressing other issues of mutual concern.
Later in the day, President Barzani was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
President Barzani described the meeting as 'productive,' adding, 'We discussed building ties through good neighborly relations and reiterated our commitment to dialogue to promote stability, serving countries and peoples of our region.'
The Kurdistan Region Presidency noted that the two senior officials explored 'opportunities for expanding cooperation across various sectors' and 'commended the longstanding relationship between Iran and the Kurdistan Region.'
'The meeting also covered the broader situation in the region, emphasizing the critical role of dialogue in preventing conflicts.'
Of note, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi is currently heading Tehran's negotiation team engaged in indirect talks with the United States over Iran's nuclear program.
These Oman-mediated negotiations began on April 12 in Muscat, marking the first substantive dialogue between Washington and Tehran since the original 2015 nuclear agreement- formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - began to unravel.
The JCPOA had seen Iran agree to limit its nuclear enrichment activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions.
However, in 2018, during his first term in office, U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed harsh sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran began rolling back its commitments under the deal.
On Thursday, Trump stated that Washington is close to securing a nuclear deal with Tehran, adding, "We're in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace.'
Notably, in a mid-February interview with Rudaw, President Barzani had commended Trump for his efforts to bring peace to the world.
"What we see in Mr. Trump's policy as U.S. President, he wants peace to be established everywhere. This, in my opinion, just this message in itself... deserves much appreciation and respect," President Barzani said, adding that the U.S. is "the world's greatest superpower and it truly can play its role [effectively]."
اجتماع رئيس إقليم كوردستان نيجيرفان بارزاني ورئيس البرلمان الإيراني محمد باقر قاليباف في طهران pic.twitter.com/ty0dwKPikt
— Rudaw عربية (@rudaw_arabic) May 18, 2025
During his visit to Iran, President Barzani also met with Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Sunday.
In a statement on X, President Barzani noted exchanging with the senior Iranian official views on Tehran's relations with Erbil and Baghdad, emphasizing 'the importance of regional stability to maintain common interests.'
'I thanked Iran for its support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.'
For his part, speaking to Rudaw's Bakhtiyar Qadir on Sunday, the Iranian Parliament Speaker emphasized his close ties with President Barzani, stating, 'We see ourselves as friends,' adding that the meeting between them 'was very good' and 'marked by a spirit of brotherhood, friendship, and cooperation at the highest levels.'
Qalibaf further noted that discussions with President Barzani touched on 'political, economic, security, and cultural cooperation,' and stressed 'the importance of ensuring there are no destabilizing elements on either side [of the border] who seek to undermine the security of the two neighbors.'
He also underscored the 'continuous security cooperation to ensure the security of Iran, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region,' and praised President Barzani's 'special initiative, for which I thanked him, regarding some of our detainees' in the Region.
In March 2023, Iraq and Iran signed a security accord, which saw Baghdad agree to disarm Kurdish opposition groups and secure the border regions. In addition to 'reducing and managing unwanted security challenges,' the pact aims to prevent smuggling.
The timing
The Kurdistan Region and Iran have long maintained strong ties. During a forum in Sulaimani in April 2024, President Barzani acknowledged that Iran has contributed significantly to the Region's economic 'success.'
However, the relationship has been strained in recent years due to Tehran's attacks on exiled Kurdish opposition groups and deadly missile strikes on locations it alleged were Mossad bases within the Region. Erbil has strongly rejected these claims.
Commenting on President Barzani's visit to Tehran, Delshad Shehab, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, highlighted a "new phase" in bilateral relations between Erbil and Tehran, noting that the Kurdistan Region has "overcome the phase of misunderstanding with Iran and is now entering the phase of developing relations."
The key visit also comes amid rapidly evolving and complex regional developments.
In October 2023, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale incursion into southern Israel, resulting in over 1,170 deaths, according to Israeli figures. Israel's response, a massive offensive in Gaza, led to the deaths of 52,000 people, mostly Palestinian civilians, with over 118,000 others wounded, according to Gaza health authorities.
After 15 months of conflict, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was agreed to in mid-January. However, in March 2024, Israel resumed its attacks on Gaza, killing over 2,300 Palestinians and injuring more than 2,500, as it sought the return of 59 hostages held by Hamas.
Meanwhile, Syria has entered a volatile new phase after a coalition of opposition forces, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, launched a swift offensive in December 2024, ousting Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
In the aftermath, Syria faces immense transitional challenges, including the formation of an inclusive governance framework, integration of armed groups into state forces, and the reconstruction of its economy and infrastructure after nearly 15 years of war.
Simultaneously, regional diplomatic activity has intensified.
In addition to the Oman-mediated talks between the US and Iran, peace efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have also gained momentum.
Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan on Sunday called for renewed Kurdish-Turkish relations, days the PKK on Monday announced plans to dissolve itself and end its armed struggle as part of a peace process with Turkey.
The Kurdistan Region, a reliable partner and catalyst of peace
Amid the rapidly evolving events, President Barzani has repeatedly urged for 'permanent peace in the Middle East,' reasserting the Kurdistan Region's role as a catalyst of regional security and stability.
In addition to meeting with top officials in Iran, the Kurdistan Region President also participated in the Tehran Dialogue Forum – a prominent political and diplomatic conference organized by the Iranian foreign ministry.
Speaking at the forum on Saturday, President Barzani once again emphasized that the Kurdistan Region 'is committed to regional cooperation, and we are eager to work with our neighbors to ensure mutual stability,' viewing itself as 'a partner in the broader efforts to maintain regional peace and security, and is committed to cooperating with its neighbors, including Iran, Turkey, and Syria.'
He further asserted, "We will not allow the Kurdistan Region to be a source of threat to our neighbors,' including Iran.
'The Kurdistan Region is committed to being a source of stability and ensuring that its territory does not pose any security risks to neighboring countries,' President Barzani stressed.
On the domestic front, the Kurdistan Region President also addressed federalism in Iraq, noting that while the Iraqi constitution envisions a federal system, 'Iraq is still very far from being a true federal system.'
He argued that "the Kurdistan Region sees our future within the framework of the Iraqi constitution" and that resolving the federalism issue with the Kurdistan Region is vital for Iraq's stability.
President Barzani further explained that a 'serious discussion' between Erbil and Baghdad is essential to define a governance model that is acceptable to all.
'For Iraq's stability, the first thing it must do is resolve the federalism issue with the Kurdistan Region 100 percent,' he concluded.
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