President Barzani, UAE leader Al Nahyan urge regional de-escalation in phone call

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received a phone call on Friday from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss escalating regional tensions.

“During the call, the latest regional tensions and the dangerous repercussions of war were discussed,” the Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a statement.

Both leaders expressed "deep concern over the escalation and stressed the importance of exhausting diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and safeguard the region’s security and stability," the statement added.

The US-Israel coordinated attacks on Iran since last week have already produced significant regional repercussions.

Missile and drone attacks have been reported across the Middle East, including attempts to target US military facilities in the Kurdistan Region and the Gulf, including the UAE.

Drone attacks by Iran-affiliated armed groups targeting US bases in the Kurdistan Region have escalated over the past 24 hours despite tightened security measures by Iraqi forces. The attacks have struck multiple provinces, causing casualties and material damage.

The Kurdistan Region has also reaffirmed that it will not side with any party in the US-Israel war against Iran and will not allow any group to use its territory as a launchpad for attacks on neighboring countries.