Kurdistan
Habibollah Malakootifar, head of the Scientific Research and Coordination Department at Tehran’s foreign ministry speaks to Rudaw on May 18, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior Iranian foreign ministry official has praised Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani as “a bearer of a message of friendship” and “an ambassador of reconciliation,” highlighting his role in fostering stronger Erbil-Tehran ties.
Speaking to Rudaw on the sidelines of the Tehran Dialogue Forum (TDF), Habibollah Malakootifar, head of the Scientific Research and Coordination Department at Tehran’s foreign ministry, commended President Barzani’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, noting that he has repeatedly been received by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Kurdistan Region President traveled to Tehran on Saturday to participate in the TDF, a key political and diplomatic forum hosted by Iran’s foreign ministry.
During his visit, he was received by top Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. His talks with Iranian officials focused on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing regional cooperation.
Malakootifar highlighted President Barzani’s contributions to deepening economic and cultural ties while also addressing shared security concerns. “He understands the common challenges we face, and he has worked to build sustainable cooperation - especially in border security and confronting common challenges,” he added.
The Kurdistan Region and Iran have long maintained strong ties. However, the relationship was 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.
Pointing to the prominence of President Barzani’s visit to Tehran, the spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Delshad Shehab, on Sunday highlighted that a "new phase" in bilateral relations between Erbil and Tehran has begun. He added that the Kurdistan Region has "overcome the phase of misunderstanding with Iran and is now entering the phase of developing relations."
In addition to meeting with top officials in Iran, the Kurdistan Region President also participated in the TDF.
Speaking at the forum on Saturday, President Barzani 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.
For his part, Malakootifar praised President Barzani’s participation in the TDF as emphasizing “the importance of our bilateral relations” and “good neighborliness.”
Malakootifar concluded by underscoring the historical ties between Erbil and Tehran.
“Our relationship goes beyond the present… We suffered together, especially during the era of [toppled Iraqi dictator] Saddam [Hussein], and the shared sufferings have deepened our historical bonds.”
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