KRG vows to keep ties with Iran despite sanctions

TEHRAN –  The Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government  (KRG) is profoundly indebted to Iran’s support in the past, a Kurdish official has said, adding that the KRG is hopeful to partially make up for Tehran’s helps now that the U.S. has imposed unilateral sanctions against the country.

KRG rep criticizes Abadi for hasty comments on Iran sanctions

TEHRAN – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) representative to Tehran has criticized Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi for hurriedly saying Baghdad was complying with U.S. sanctions on Iran.

Iran reopens border crossing with Iraqi Kurdistan region

TEHRAN – Iran reopened a border crossing with the Iraqi Kurdistan region on Wednesday after having closed it following last month’s independence vote in the Kurdish area, ISNA reported.

General Soleimani: Kurdish crisis result of Talabani’s absence

TEHRAN – Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, said on Tuesday that the current crisis engulfing the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is a result of the vacuum created by the demise of Jalal Talabani.

Judiciary chief decries U.S. hypocrisy over KRG vote

TEHRAN – Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani on Monday denounced the hypocritical policy of Washington towards the Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s independence vote to secede from Iraq, reiterated Iran’s opposition to disintegration of neighboring countries.

Iraq asks Iran, Turkey to shut borders with KRG

TEHRAN – Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Mahjoub has said Baghdad had sent an official request to Ankara and Tehran urging them to close their borders with the Iraqi Kurdistan and limit the oil trade with the region, the Anadolu news agency reported on Saturday.

By Ebrahim Fallahi

Iraq’s Kurdistan referendum: what to expect for oil markets

Against the opposition of Iraq’s central government and despite the warning signals from much of the international community, thousands of Iraqi Kurds headed to polls on September 25 for a referendum on independence.

by Dilshad Hama Khidhir

Refugees’ fate in limbo as Iraqi Kurdistan referendum nears

With the referendum on independence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq scheduled for Sept. 25, the fate of the large number of displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees in the region is unknown.

By Barin Kayaoglu

Ankara hardens opposition to KRG referendum

Since the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced in June that it will hold a referendum on declaring independence from Iraq, the Turkish government has maintained a coolheaded approach — until now. As the Sept. 25 referendum approaches, Ankara seems to be toughening its stance against Iraqi Kurdistan independence.

Barzani: Referendum should not concern neighbors

TEHRAN – The president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (KRG) has said a prospective referendum for independence should not concern Iran or Turkey.

Iran, Turkey exchange views on Iraqi KRG

TEHRAN – Head of the Iranian Staff of Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri held high-level talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli on Wednesday, discussing a range of regional issues including a referendum decision by the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). 

Iran can play positive role in Baghdad-Erbil disputes: Kurdish PM

TEHRAN – The Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, said on Sunday that Iran can “play a positive role” in resolving disputes between the Iraqi government and the autonomous Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).

General cautions KRG over Saudi move to arm anti-Iran groups

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian commander has cautioned Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) against “Saudi measures in the region to arm anti-Iran groups”.