Iranian ambassador claims Tehran ready to mediate between Iraq, Kurdistan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – A senior Iranian diplomat on Saturday said his country was prepared to mediate between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to resolve the ongoing disputes following last September’s referendum.

Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi claimed Tehran was making efforts “to find a way out of the crisis” between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

“Iran is making efforts to help end the conflict between Baghdad and Kurdistan,” Masjedi said, according to Iranian Fars News Agency.

The ambassador added that Iran wanted “to ensure the interests of the central government [of Iraq] and also the interests of the Kurdistan Region” were considered before moving forward with mediation efforts.

Neither the Iraqi government nor the KRG have yet to issue any comment regarding Masjedi’s statements.

On Wednesday, Turkey also said it was ready to mediate between Iraq and Kurdistan to mend ties following the historic Sep. 25 vote.

According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, there were requests from both sides for Ankara to take steps in normalizing relations.

Earlier this year, the KRG said it welcomed any positive steps taken by the Iraqi government to conduct a dialogue and resolve issues based on the Constitution adopted since 2005.

The Kurdish government reiterated its readiness for negotiations over the management of border crossings and airports according to the mechanism set out in the Constitution.

The KRG also said it wanted a third party “to guarantee the talks,” but Baghdad refuses to do so, insisting the Kurdistan Region must cancel the results of the referendum and hand over the administration of border crossings and airports as a precondition before dialogue begins.