Rouhani Responds Negatively to Kurdish Independence Referendum in Iraq for the Third Time

Hassan Rouhani has once again expressed negative views on the independence referendum in the Kurdistan region of Iraq for the third time in the past three days, emphasizing that "territorial integrity in the region and the non-alteration of borders is very important for Iran." Rouhani made these statements during a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. According to the Iranian presidential website, on Monday, October 3, the Iranian President referred to the "current developments in Iraq" and stated that "for the Islamic Republic, regional security and the preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity and national unity are very important and vital." The "current developments in Iraq" referenced by Rouhani pertain to the ongoing referendum in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. On Saturday, Rouhani also spoke with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and both assessed the independence referendum in the Kurdistan region as a factor for "creating chaos in the region." On Sunday evening, in a phone call with Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, he said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran fully supports the central government of Iraq." Rouhani added: "Everyone should know that their legitimacy is within the framework of the Iraqi constitution," and violating the Iraqi constitution means engaging in illegal actions. The Iranian presidential report states that during Rouhani's call with Putin, the Russian President also emphasized that "the Russian government supports the Baghdad government and Iraq's territorial integrity." Russian sources have not yet published a report on this matter. The independence referendum in the Kurdistan region is being held while the United States and the United Nations have called for its postponement, and both Iran and Turkey have opposed it. The central government of Iraq has also intensified its efforts in recent days to prevent the holding of this referendum but has not been successful. The Prime Minister of Iraq stated in a televised speech: "Making a unilateral decision that affects the integrity and security of Iraq and also the security of the region through a separatist referendum is against the constitution and internal peace." Officials from the Kurdistan region have emphasized that this referendum is being held because their demands have been ignored, and since ultimately negotiations or any other solution must lead towards "independence," this referendum is taking place. Iran and Turkey, which have a large Kurdish minority, are concerned about unrest in their Kurdish regions and the strengthening of separatist motivations. Iran has closed its air borders to the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and Ankara has also closed its land border with this region and stationed its military forces at the border. More than 5.3 million people are expected to participate in the Kurdistan independence referendum. Preliminary results are set to be announced 24 hours after voting.