Head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani made the
remarks on Sunday as Iraqi Kurdish legislators of the country’s semi-autonomous
Kurdistan region approved holding a referendum on independence on September 25
despite growing opposition from Baghdad and neighboring countries.
"The split has no legal basis and will definitely bring about security issues
for the Middle East, Iraq, and especially the Kurdistan region,” he stressed.
Shamkhani went on to highlight the decisive role of Kurds in Iraqi government
and the need for continuing the use of their capacities for the improvement of
security, economic and political structures of Kurdistan region, adding "the
opposition from neighboring countries over the holding of the referendum will
complicate the situation for Kurdistan after the split.”
Stressing that Iran only recognizes the united and federal government of Iraq,
Shamkhani said "any disruption to this strategic principle will lead to a
serious reconsideration and change of the ongoing cooperation between Iran and
the Kurdistan region.”
Border agreements are in place solely with the central government of Iraq and
the separation of the Kurdish region from the central government will indicate
the blocking of all joint border checkpoints, he added.
Shamkhani further stressed that Iran would adopt a completely different approach
toward border security in case Kurdistan region separated from Iraq.
SOURCE :MNA