ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Wednesday held a phone call to discuss escalating regional tensions following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with both sides emphasizing border security and the need to prevent further instability.
According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, President Barzani received a call from Araghchi, during which they reviewed bilateral relations and “the latest developments in the region and their implications.”
The phone call comes as the US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Saturday, killing dozens of senior officials, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran's response has targeted several regional countries that host US military bases, including the Kurdistan Region.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability,” the presidency said, adding they “stressed the protection of border security in a manner that prevents any attempt to undermine regional stability or further complicate the situation.”
President Barzani reaffirmed that the Region “will not become a party to the conflicts and will remain, as always, a factor for peace,” expressing support for “diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and shield the peoples of the region from the dangers of war.”
A separate readout from Iran’s foreign ministry said talks included cooperation under the Iran-Iraq security agreement, with a focus on "safeguarding border security and preventing any exploitation by third parties to destabilize the region."
In March 2023, Iran and Iraq signed a security pact under which Baghdad committed to disarming Kurdish opposition groups and tightening security along the shared border. Iran had threatened to use military action if Baghdad failed to fulfill the agreement. The del was updated in August 2025 into a memorandum of understanding, which was opposed by the US
The phone call comes amid reports that the United States is stepping up efforts to potentially use Iranian Kurdish armed groups as ground forces as its campaign with Israel against Iran continues, with the stated aiming toppling the Iranian state. The majority of the groups are based in the Kurdistan Region, but officials have repeatedly affirmed that the Region’s territory will not become a source of threat to its neighbors.
Barzani on Sunday extended his “deepest condolences and sympathies to the people, government, and leadership of Iran” over the killing of Khamenei.
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