Iranian FM Spokesman: United Iraq guarantor of all Iraqis' rights

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on Saturday commented on the Kurdistan independence referendum, reaffirming Iran’s support for a unified Iraq.

In a meeting on Wednesday, chaired by President Masoud Barzani, the political parties in the Kurdistan Region agreed to hold an independence referendum on Sep. 25, 2017.

Kurdish officials have declared the decision to hold a referendum is irreversible and is scheduled to include all the cities in the Kurdistan Region as well as disputed territories.

“Kurdistan is part of a federal Iraq,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bahram Qassemi said in a statement cited by the Iranian state news agency.

“A united Iraq that enjoys stability and democracy is the guarantor of the rights of all Iraqis,” Qassemi said. “Iran supports the unity of Iraq.”

Kurdish officials have repeatedly called on regional countries not to interfere in the internal affairs of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The Iraqi federal government on Friday stated the decision to hold the referendum should not be unilateral and highlighted the importance of involving all Iraqis in the process.  

Kurds have said before that the “yes” vote would not turn Kurdistan into an independent country immediately.

President Barzani also mentioned the Region would seek peaceful dialogue with Baghdad and neighboring countries regarding secession from Iraq.

Kurdish leaders have repeatedly stated they are fed up with Iraqi government policies throughout history where the Kurds have always been oppressed, and their rights are taken from them.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany