Ali Shamkhani Warns of Possible Sanctions Against Iraqi Kurdistan by Iran

One of the representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly states that Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, spoke in a closed session of the parliament about imposing sanctions against the Kurdistan region to prevent the separation of this area from Iraq. According to Mehr News Agency, Jabbar Kuchakinejad, a representative from Rasht, explained that Shamkhani assured that various measures could be taken 'to force the Kurds to retreat.' He stated, 'Mr. Shamkhani believed that trilateral negotiations between Iran, Iraq, and Turkey are ongoing, and simultaneous negotiations will also take place with the groups and parties of the Kurdistan region, while sanctions pressures are being applied.' Tehran has announced sanctions against the Kurdistan region of Iraq, while Iran has always considered Western sanctions against the Islamic Republic as 'illegal' and 'inhumane' and condemned them. The final results of the Kurdistan independence referendum were announced on Wednesday, showing that over 92% of participants voted in favor of independence. However, Iran has consistently opposed the referendum and the separation of the Kurdistan region from Iraq, alongside Turkey and the Iraqi government. According to the statements of the representative from Rasht, Mr. Shamkhani said that the Islamic Republic 'formed a regional union with the presence of Iraq, Turkey, and Iran before the referendum and conducted intensive negotiations with the officials of the Kurdistan region, which did not succeed, but now another phase has begun and other actions are being planned.' According to this report, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran then explained possible tools to counter the separation of Iraqi Kurdistan, stating that Baghdad 'can even take military action because separatism has occurred within Iraq's territory and this referendum was against the Iraqi constitution.' Meanwhile, Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, has ruled out the use of force against the Kurdistan region and emphasized that he does not want war among Iraqi citizens. Nevertheless, the Iraqi parliament voted on Wednesday to prosecute Masoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan region, and other officials involved in holding the independence referendum. In this context, as Mr. Kuchakinejad mentioned, Ali Shamkhani stated in parliament that Iran would support Iraq's actions and 'the Iraqi government should request the implementation of certain actions from international organizations and the countries of Iran and Turkey.' He did not provide further details about these possible actions. Iran has currently closed its air border to Iraqi Kurdistan.