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TEHRAN \u2013 Nechirvan Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, reaffirmed the region\u2019s commitment to safeguarding Iran\u2019s security in an interview with the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will not allow any group to use our territory as a source of threat to Iran\u2019s peace and security,\u201d Barzani declared.<\/p>\n
The pledge follows Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian\u2019s landmark September 2024 visit to Erbil, hailed as a turning point in Tehran\u2019s political, economic, and security collaboration with Iraqi Kurdistan.<\/p>\n
Pezeshkian\u2019s trip to the Kurdistan Region\u2014the first by an Iranian head of state in over a decade\u2014marked a \u201cnew phase in strengthening historical relations,\u201d according to Barzani, who emphasized the visit\u2019s role in expanding cross-border dialogue.<\/p>\n
Prior to the president\u2019s arrival, Barzani had visited Tehran for talks with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and senior Iranian officials, laying the groundwork for enhanced cooperation.<\/p>\n
Border security has consistently been a central theme in talks between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan.<\/p>\n
In his remarks to Iranian media this week, Barzani underscored \u201cserious progress\u201d in implementing the 2023 Iran-Iraq security pact, citing tightened border surveillance and joint efforts with Baghdad to neutralize threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cStability on our borders is a shared responsibility,\u201d he stated, adding that Erbil remains \u201cfully committed\u201d to preventing activities that jeopardize Iran\u2019s security.<\/p>\n
Barzani emphasized that security measures and border surveillance have been strengthened to prevent any activity that could affect the stability of the borders between the two sides.<\/p>\n
Barzani highlighted that Iraqi Kurdistan\u2019s coordination with federal authorities ensures \u201cno security vacuum\u201d exists, with mechanisms now in place to monitor and address risks proactively.<\/p>\n
He underscored that both sides are working diligently to follow up on the agreements made during the high-level visits between Tehran and Erbil, focusing on economic, security, and cultural cooperation.<\/p>\n
The official also explained that the discussions during the Iranian President’s visit yielded agreements to boost trade, which currently exceeds $10 billion annually, with 60% flowing through Iraqi Kurdistan\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n
Both sides aim to \u201cexpand joint production and commercial exchanges,\u201d Barzani noted, stressing plans to streamline customs processes and empower private-sector partnerships.<\/p>\n
Despite shared goals, challenges remain, including logistical bottlenecks at border crossings and U.S. sanctions on Iran, which hinder trade growth, according to the official.<\/p>\n
However, Barzani expressed confidence in ongoing negotiations with Baghdad to harmonize regulations and \u201cfacilitate production and exchange.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued by saying that \u201cboth sides should consider solutions to speed up and facilitate customs, trade movements, and the exchange of goods at border gates.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n