Iraqi Kurdistan’s Referendum Plan to Isolate Kurds: Iran’s Shamkhani

Ali Shamkhani on Monday stressed that the issue of holding plebiscite on Iraqi Kurdistan region’s independence will weaken Kurdistan and the entire Iraqi state.

The Iranian senior official made the remarks in a meeting with Deputy Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Abdullah Rasoul Ali, and Chief of the PUK’s Executive Body, Mullah Bakhtiar, in Tehran.

“Following up the issue of holding a referendum will separate and split the Iraqi nation,” Shamkhani said, stressing that such a plebiscite is not a priority and requirement for the country’s people and runs counter to the Iraqi officials’ policies.

He also stressed that some regional and trans-regional states are to undermine Iraq and the large countries in Western Asia.

“Considering the national interests and the interests of the Muslim world, it should not be allowed to see colonial and imported projects such as the Greater Middle East be realized.”

The representative of Iran’s Leader at the SNSC said what the Islamic Republic of Iran hopes for people, parties and groups in northern Iraq is security, economic development and prosperity.

This is a hindrance to the development and growth of terrorist groups, he pointed out.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Shamkhani stated that the victory over ISIS and the liberation of Mosul promises a better future for a united Iraq.

“The victory heralds overcoming foreign seditions that aim at creating divisions in this country.”

He went on to say that a stable and united Iraq provides security and progress across the country and those who are wishing well for Iraq should support this approach.

In turn, Abdullah Rasoul Ali gave a report on the latest developments in Iraqi Kurdistan and said that the Islamic Republic has always been the supporter of the Kurdish people of Iraq.

“The link between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan is historical and based on common civilization. Iraqi Kurdistan is proud of being friend with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Iraqi official mentioned.

Rasoul Ali also touched upon Iran’s decisive support for the security of the Kurdistan region and its people during the attacks by the ISIS terrorists.

“While the Takfiri terrorists had approached the gates of Erbil, Iran was the only country that, along with the people of Kurdistan, confronted with ISIS seriously. The Islamic Republic prevented the emergence of a security disaster in Iraq’s Kurdistan.”