Iran's Consulate in Erbil: We Remain Neutral in the Dispute Between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi Government

Following reports about the Islamic Republic's role in the Iraqi forces' control over the city of Kirkuk, the Iranian consulate in Erbil reiterated its opposition to the separation of the Kurdistan Region from Iraq while claiming neutrality. According to ISNA news agency, the Iranian consulate in Erbil stated on Thursday, October 19, that since the beginning of the discussions regarding the referendum for the separation of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Islamic Republic has made 'neutral efforts' to help both parties reach an agreement based on the constitution of the Republic of Iraq. The statement expressed concern over the events that occurred after the referendum without detailing specifics, emphasizing that some 'are trying to position the Islamic Republic of Iran alongside one side of the conflict against the other.' The Iranian consulate rejected these reports and referenced past relations with the Kurds and other 'ethnic groups and tribes' in Iraq, asserting that it has played a 'constructive and stabilizing role' in the developments of the country. The statement stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran 'will make every effort to resolve the ongoing crisis and restore calm and stability to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.' The Iranian consulate also expressed hope that 'we will soon witness the strengthening of national unity in a united, cohesive, and integrated Iraq.' Before the capture of Kirkuk by Iraqi forces, the security apparatus of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and a commander of the Peshmerga announced that a number of IRGC forces were present among the Iraqi army and Shiite militia Hashd al-Shaabi to potentially confront the Kurdistan Region forces near Kirkuk. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, had traveled to the city of Sulaymaniyah to negotiate about the escalating tensions between the Kurdish forces and the central Iraqi government. However, one day after the capture of Kirkuk by the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi, Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on international affairs, denied any role or presence of the IRGC in this operation. The Security Council of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq announced on Monday, October 16, that the Iraqi army and Shiite forces supported by Iran had entered the city of Kirkuk. The following day, Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region, stated that the reason for the retreat of the Kurdish Peshmerga was 'the unilateral decisions of certain individuals within a political current in Kurdistan.' Several analysts and experts in the region have also discussed the 'coordination' among certain factions and political groups in Kurdistan, the Iraqi government, and Iran's 'mediation' during the retreat from Kirkuk. According to Hamdi Malek, a Middle East analyst in the UK, 'the city of Kirkuk and its surrounding areas are under the control of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, where some factions in this party are very close to Iran.' Based on statistics from the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, the demographic composition of Kirkuk consists of Kurds, Shiite Turkmen, Sunni Arabs, and Christians, respectively. The Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Region entered Kirkuk in 2014 amid ISIS attacks that led to the retreat of central government forces and took control of the oil wells. Iranian officials have strongly criticized the referendum for the separation of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and in response to this action, Iran closed its air borders and the land border 'Parviz Khan' and halted the trade of oil products with the Kurdistan Region. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, had previously announced the imposition of sanctions against the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In this context, the advisor to Khamenei denied the role and presence of the IRGC in the Kirkuk operation. Iran closed the common border 'Parviz Khan' with the Kurdistan Region at the request of the Iraqi government. Iran denied closing its land border with the Kurdistan Region.