During a visit to the Iranian Consulate General in Erbil, Kurdistan Region's President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated on Monday that the semi-autonomous region would not serve as a platform for threats against Iran. Barzani extended his condolences to the Iranian people and leadership over the recent terrorist attacks in Kerman, which claimed the lives of at least 90 people.
He emphasized the Kurdistan Region's commitment to being a peaceful neighbor, stating, "We will never be a source of threat for any of our neighbors, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran." Barzani's visit comes in the context of a security pact signed between Iran and Iraq in March, aiming to eliminate terrorist activities originating from Kurdistan.
Barzani acknowledged the importance of increased regional cooperation to combat terrorism and expressed gratitude for Iran's assistance in the fight against Daesh. He highlighted Iran's significant support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region during the emergence and strengthening of Daesh, praising the collaborative efforts in countering the terrorist organization.
The recent twin blasts in Kerman, claimed by Daesh, occurred during a memorial service for Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed in a U.S. drone strike four years ago near Baghdad's main airport. In light of these events, Iranian authorities have urged both the central government in Baghdad and Kurdish officials to take further action to relocate terrorists and their bases away from the Iranian border.