EC Chairman Blames US, Israel for Independence Plot in Iraqi Kurdistan Region

"It is completely clear that the US and Israel are the directors of this dangerous move and conspiracy in the region and want to create a new Israel in the region," Hashemi Shahroudi said in Tehran on Saturday.

"This move is undoubtedly a major betrayal of the region and the Muslim world," he added.

Hashemi Shahroudi also described the US role in the recent moves in the region as serious and dangerous.

In relevant remarks on Wednesday, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warned that the recent independence referendum in the Iraqi Kurdistan region is a foreign plot hatched by the US and Israel against the region.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his accompanying delegation which was also attended by President Hassan Rouhani.

Contending that holding referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan is a betrayal of region and a threat to its future and that it will entail long-term repercussions for the neighboring states, Ayatollah Khamenei said that Iran and Turkey should do everything possible to counter the issue and the Iraqi government should take decisions seriously and take measures to that effect.

Cooperation, sympathy, unified and serious political and economic decisions by Iran and Turkey regarding the event is very important, the Leader said, noting that the US and European governments’ attitude towards the issue is totally different from those of the two countries, as the US is willing to have at its disposal a disturbing agent against Iran and Turkey. Therefore, the Americans and Europeans cannot be trusted.

Pointing to the enemies’ efforts to preoccupy Iran and Turkey and distancing them from the main regional issues, the Leader said that foreign powers, specially the Zionist regime, are seeking means to sow discord and foment dispute.