Kurdistan President Barzani in Tehran: 'Iraq Has Emerged from Crisis; Now It Must Realize Federalism'

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a remarkable display of diplomatic fluency and political clarity, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani captivated an international audience at the Tehran Dialogue Forum (TDF) on Sunday, May 18, 2025, where he spoke alongside Iranian officials, scholars, and foreign policy experts. The panel, moderated by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh, offered a rare moment of cultural exchange, statesmanship, and candid political discourse.

Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani, addressing the forum largely in Farsi, opened the session with humility: "If my Farsi is not fluent, I sincerely apologize," he said. His linguistic effort was warmly acknowledged by Khatibzadeh, who jokingly admitted, "Your Farsi is better than my Kurdish. However, President Pezeshkian’s Kurdish surpasses me."

President Nechirvan Barzani responded with grace, noting, "Indeed, his Kurdish is far better than my Farsi. In fact, Mr. President speaks Kurdish exceptionally well—without any discernible accent. We have witnessed this ourselves." The exchange drew smiles from the audience and set a tone of mutual respect and cultural resonance.

Speaking first in Kurdish before transitioning into Persian, the Kurdistan Region's President thanked the forum's organizers for the invitation and extended an official invitation to Dr. Javad Zarif to visit the Kurdistan Region. The gesture underscored his commitment to people-to-people diplomacy and regional outreach.

In a wide-ranging dialogue, Kurdistan President Barzani reflected on Iraq's evolving regional role, emphasizing that the country had "transitioned from a conflict-ridden period into a new political era." He lauded Baghdad's successful hosting of the Arab Summit and observed that today's challenges, such as traffic congestion, were starkly different from the violence and instability of the past.

"Iraq holds significant potential in shaping the future of the region," he asserted. "With its abundant natural resources and human capital, Iraq can assume a vital role in the region—provided it adopts forward-looking policies."

Turning to the status of the Kurdistan Region within Iraq, President Nechirvan Barzani emphasized that federalism remains the core unresolved issue between Erbil and Baghdad. "Prior to the U.S.-led intervention in 2003, the Kurdistan Region already had a distinct status. When the Americans entered Iraq, they proposed a democratic, federal system—a vision we supported. We actively contributed to the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime and the establishment of a new Iraq. The Iraqi constitution clearly defines the country as a federal state. However, this federalism has yet to be fully realized."

Kurdistan Region's President pointed out the disconnect between constitutional provisions and their implementation. "To be candid, the manner in which Baghdad treats the Kurdistan Region is not consistent with federal principles," he said, referencing former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi as a witness to past discussions.

"We believe in constructive dialogue aimed at finding common ground. This principle was foundational to the new Iraq and remains achievable, despite current challenges."

When asked about the Kurdistan Region's role in Iraq-Iran relations, President Barzani highlighted the historical, linguistic, and economic bonds. "Approximately 60% of Iran’s trade with Iraq flows through the Kurdistan Region," he noted, adding that ongoing bilateral meetings and planned conferences, including an economic summit in Sanandaj, reflect deepening cooperation.

He also praised Iran’s past support for the Kurdish people during pivotal historical moments—such as the Halabja chemical attack, the 1991 exodus, and the war against ISIS—and recalled General Qassem Soleimani's role in aiding Erbil.

Kurdistan President Barzani characterized Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Erbil as a watershed moment. "His visit has clearly led to progress. The upcoming economic conference in Sanandaj is a direct outcome of his trip and reflects his sincere belief in regional cooperation," he said.

Discussing security coordination, the Kurdistan Region President revealed that a formal mechanism had been established between Baghdad, Erbil, and Tehran. "Our position is clear: the Kurdistan Region will not be used as a staging ground to threaten neighboring countries, particularly Iran."

Regarding recent developments with the PKK, President Barzani expressed cautious optimism. "We believe the Kurdish issue cannot be resolved through violence or warfare... We are prepared to assist in any way that facilitates peace. This is fundamentally a political issue, not one that can be settled by force."

On a personal note, President Barzani ended the session with a reflection on his emotional connection to Iran. "Iran was a place of refuge during the years we were displaced by Saddam Hussein’s regime. We were never treated as refugees, but rather as citizens—never as guests, but as part of the society. These memories are deeply cherished."

The President said he always tries to visit the Azimiyeh neighborhood in Karaj where he once lived. "There is a strong sense of shared history and familiarity—we feel a genuine closeness."

With his characteristic diplomatic finesse, Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani's appearance in Tehran reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s evolving role as both a stabilizing force in Iraq and a critical bridge between regional powers.

Below you can read the translated transcript of Kurdistan Region's President Nechirvan Barzani's speech at TDF:

President Nechirvan Barzani: If my Farsi is not fluent, I sincerely apologize.

Moderator: Your Farsi is better than my Kurdish. However, President Pezeshkian’s Kurdish surpasses us both.

President Nechirvan Barzani: Indeed, his Kurdish is far better than my Farsi. In fact, Mr. President speaks Kurdish exceptionally well—without any discernible accent. We have witnessed this ourselves. [Audience smiles]

Moderator: So you approve of his Kurdish proficiency?

President Nechirvan Barzani: Absolutely. Even earlier when we exchanged greetings, he spoke in Kurdish. It was a thoughtful and gracious gesture.

Moderator: He is truly our multilingual president.

President Nechirvan Barzani: Indeed.

Moderator: We are deeply honored to welcome President Nechirvan Barzani, the esteemed President of the Kurdistan Region, to this forum today. It is a personal pleasure for me to moderate this session. Less than a month ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Kurdistan Region and attend the forum held there, for which I remain grateful. I sincerely hope today’s gathering, composed of distinguished guests, will foster meaningful dialogue and provide insightful evaluations of the key issues we aim to discuss.

President Nechirvan Barzani: Before we begin our conversation in Farsi, I would like to briefly speak in Kurdish. It is a pleasure to be here today, and I express my gratitude for the invitation to this esteemed forum. I will attempt to speak in Farsi throughout our discussion, but if at any point I find it difficult to express myself clearly, I may switch to Kurdish for clarity. [Switches to Persian] I would like to take this opportunity, before we begin, to extend an invitation to Dr. Javad Zarif to visit the Kurdistan Region.

Moderator: The Middle East is currently undergoing rapid transformation. During your address in Erbil, you emphasized that both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq play crucial roles in these regional dynamics. You also spoke about the Kurdistan Region’s success in establishing respectful and mutually beneficial relations with other countries. How do you see Iraq's role evolving in this changing environment?

President Nechirvan Barzani: Iraq holds significant potential in shaping the future of the region. If we compare Iraq’s current circumstances to those of a decade ago, the situation has markedly improved. Today, one of the main challenges in Baghdad is traffic congestion—a far cry from the crises of the past. Iraq is transitioning from a conflict-ridden period into a new political era. Hosting the recent Arab Summit in Baghdad was a notable achievement, especially considering the broader regional context. Leaders from numerous Arab nations participated, signifying a renewed regional engagement. Iraq is in a post-conflict recovery phase and is gradually emerging from its past. With its abundant natural resources and human capital, Iraq can assume a vital role in the region—provided it adopts forward-looking policies.

Moderator: How would you define the role and status of the Kurdistan Region within Iraq? What is the vision for its future?

President Nechirvan Barzani: Prior to the U.S.-led intervention in 2003, the Kurdistan Region already had a distinct status. When the Americans entered Iraq, they proposed a democratic, federal system—a vision we supported. We actively contributed to the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime and the establishment of a new Iraq. The Iraqi constitution clearly defines the country as a federal state. However, this federalism has yet to be fully realized. In practice, Iraq remains far from a true federal system. Our ongoing dialogue with Baghdad centers on this very issue—the implementation of federalism.

We acknowledge that we are part of Iraq, but we firmly believe the structure of the state must reflect consensus among all its components. The federal model outlined in the constitution, endorsed by over 80% of Iraq’s population, is a viable path forward. We in the Kurdistan Region are committed to this model. If implemented correctly, the constitution can resolve many of the longstanding disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.

To be candid, the manner in which Baghdad treats the Kurdistan Region is not consistent with federal principles. I have conveyed to our colleagues in Baghdad that while they may perceive the Region as overstepping constitutional bounds, the reality is quite the opposite. Former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi—who is here with us today—can attest to our previous discussions on this matter. We believe in constructive dialogue aimed at finding common ground. This principle was foundational to the new Iraq and remains achievable, despite current challenges. The first step toward national stability is for Baghdad to engage earnestly with the Kurdistan Region on the issue of federalism.

Moderator: I witnessed your exchange with the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament and noted your sincere engagement. This is indeed the value of open dialogue. The Kurdistan Region, within Iraq’s sovereign framework, has already played a crucial role and can continue to do so. Let me ask: What role does the Kurdistan Region play in enhancing relations between Iraq and Iran?

President Nechirvan Barzani: The Kurdistan Region shares deep historical, cultural, and linguistic ties with Iran. Economically, this is reflected in trade—approximately 60% of Iran’s trade with Iraq flows through the Kurdistan Region. This demonstrates both economic interdependence and progress in commercial relations. For instance, next week, governors from Iranian border provinces will meet with their Kurdish counterparts, with a visit to Tehran likely including an audience with President Pezeshkian.

Iran has been a consistent supporter of the Kurdish people during times of hardship—during the Halabja chemical attack, the mass exodus of 1991, and the war against ISIS. General Qassem Soleimani personally came to Erbil to assist us, a fact we have acknowledged on many occasions. Since President Pezeshkian’s visits to Baghdad and Erbil, we have witnessed tangible progress across political, cultural, educational, and economic domains.

Moderator: It seems that President Pezeshkian’s visit marked a new chapter in bilateral relations.

President Nechirvan Barzani: Precisely. Relations between us have had their ups and downs. During my last visit to Tehran—before President Pezeshkian took office—I held discussions with the late President Ebrahim Raisi and with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Those meetings marked a turning point. Dr. Pezeshkian subsequently stated that his first official trip as president would be to Iraq, and I extended an invitation for him to visit Erbil as well.

He had visited Erbil previously in academic capacities, but this time he arrived as head of state. He impressed us with his fluent Kurdish. In return, he encouraged me to speak in Farsi—and was amused by my attempts! His visit has clearly led to progress. The upcoming economic conference in Sanandaj is a direct outcome of his trip and reflects his sincere belief in regional cooperation. His presidency has already resulted in improved ties with both Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. We have also coordinated on facilitating religious pilgrimages—from Iran through Kurdistan to Najaf and Karbala—by establishing a clear framework for such visits. Overall, the trajectory is positive.

Moderator: You have spoken about improvements across multiple sectors. Now, the Kurdish question extends beyond the Kurdistan Region. Recent developments regarding the PKK suggest some changes. Could this signal the beginning of long-term dialogue? Iran has previously expressed security concerns related to this. Has there been any progress following President Pezeshkian’s visit?

President Nechirvan Barzani: Yes, there has been considerable progress on the security front. We have established a well-defined mechanism for coordination between Baghdad, Erbil, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Our position is clear: the Kurdistan Region will not be used as a staging ground to threaten neighboring countries, particularly Iran. This is a core principle of our regional policy. We have ongoing cooperation with Iraqi authorities, and through regular meetings, we have advanced significantly. I can confidently reaffirm that the Kurdistan Region has never been, and will never become, a threat to Iran’s national security.

Moderator: And the PKK?

President Nechirvan Barzani: A peace process has begun in Türkiye, and we support it. We believe the Kurdish issue cannot be resolved through violence or warfare. While we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations—including Türkiye—we are prepared to assist in any way that facilitates peace. The current process involves the PKK, the DEM Party, and Mr. Abdullah Öcalan—all three are central actors. We have expressed our willingness to support this initiative in any constructive capacity. This is fundamentally a political issue, not one that can be settled by force.

Moderator: Indeed, the Kurdish question must be addressed politically. There appears to be positive momentum regarding the PKK, and we hope for a peaceful resolution. Now, for my final question—on a lighter note: When you visit Iran, what draws your attention the most—apart from the Farsi language?

President Nechirvan Barzani: It is the memories. Iran was a place of refuge during the years we were displaced by Saddam Hussein’s regime. We were never treated as refugees, but rather as citizens—never as guests, but as part of the society. These memories are deeply cherished. Whenever I return to Iran, I always try to visit the Azimiyeh neighborhood in Karaj, where we once lived.

Moderator: A word to those in Karaj—President Nechirvan Barzani might be visiting soon!

President Nechirvan Barzani: There is a strong sense of shared history and familiarity—we feel a genuine closeness.