Larijani:

KRG independence to stir up new tension

TEHRAN (defapress) – Iran’s Parl. Speaker Ali Larijani said Tue. that the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan region will cause a new tension in the region, adding that it is Israel’s policy to partition the Middle East.

News ID: 66062

Date: 26 September 2017 - 14:40

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani deemed Iraqi Kurdistan groups as friends to whom the Islamic Republic of Iran had lent help to create the Iraqi new government in a democratic process.

"Ever since the new Iraqi government was established and the Iraqi nation took control over the future of their own country, certain world powers and regional states began to stir up conflict and back terrorist groups in Iraq. It has taken over three years to bring ISIL down to its knees in the Arab country,” Larijani said.

The Iranian senior official went on voice regret over the fact that the ISIL activities have yet to completely cease in Iraq; "some parts of Iraq are still under ISIL control and only Mosul has been fully liberated. Under such a grievous situation and the still on-going terrorism crisis, the Iraqi Kurdistan region has declared independence that could create a new tension,” Larijani added.

He went on to note, "we held talks with authorities from the central government of Iraq and they had talks with the KRG officials, but it seems that there are other elements making provocations in Iraqi Kurdistan. I was saddened to hear that a KRG official had thanked the Zionist regime for helping them.”

"The split will cause trouble for KRG,” said Larijani, adding "the move is not supported by any country, and Iran by no means supports the partitioning of Iraq as it is not in favor of other regional countries.”

"It is the Zionists’ policy to divide the Middle East,” he stressed.

Larijani voiced Iran’s full support for Iraq’s central government, adding "Iraq can become a powerful country in the region and enjoy a democratic structure, therefore we do not condone any move aimed at creating further conflict and undermining the federal government of Iraq.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held a referendum on independence on Monday in northern Iraq. According to Erbil-based Rudaw TV, 78 percent of the more than five million eligible voters turned out to vote.

The referendum has been severely criticized by the United Nations, the US, Iran and Turkey as a cause for further instability and tension in the Middle East.

On Sunday, Iran closed its airspace to KRG upon the request from Iraq’s central government.