Iranian Consul General to Sulaimani Saadullah Masoudian reveals in an interview with Rudaw's Hawkar Yasin that soon, a ‘nearly half a billion dollar investment’ bilateral project to increase steel imports from Kurdistan Province in Iran to the Kurdistan Region, will be revealed. Also, he says the consulate has put measures in place so traders and business people can get Iranian visas quickly.
Masoudian explains Tehran 'has played and will play' the role of bringing Erbil and Baghdad closer and being a mediator within the framework of the Iraqi constitution. He called KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani’s recent visit to Iran ‘very useful,’ while describing the prime as a politician ‘who can untie the knots patiently and resiliently.’
The Iranian diplomat hopes ‘a united force is built of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen and other nations, who can defend their homeland.’ Masoudian believes until Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution is implemented, security should be provided by a ‘united force,’ whether they are Kurdish Peshmerga, Iraqi federal police, or army.
Rudaw: In the meeting between Nechirvan Barzani and President Hassan Rouhani, Rouhani said that Iranian traders are ready to revitalize the Kurdistan Region’s economic infrastructure. What do you think are the economic chances the two can take?
Saadullah Masoudian: I want to refer to a big and highly profitable bilateral economic project that will be announced soon. The president of the republic might have referred to this project. An investment project worth nearly half a billion dollars will be announced by a Kurdish company in the province of our Kurdistan in the coming days or perhaps this week. The result of this project will return to the Kurdistan Region 100 percent. Steel factories that are active in Iraqi Kurdistan Region — with the operation of this project and investment — will bring raw material from Iran to the Kurdistan Region at half price.
Can you explain this economic project in more detail?
I wanted the Iraqi Kurdish investors to announce this news, but also wanted to break the news myself about the project which will serve the economic interests of Iraqi Kurdistan. Isfandi steel plant project, located in between Sanandaj and Saqqez, will account for
the steel needs of the Kurdistan Region. The product will be given to the Kurdistan Region at half price [of the daily trade rates]. This way, the Kurdistan Region steel plants will get raw material cheaply, and this will have immense impact on the future of the Kurdistan Region’s economy.
On the other hand, the Islamic Republic of Iran will, within the framework of this investment, create thousands of job opportunities in the plants located in the Kurdistan Province of Iran. The best steel ore can be found in our country. There is no steel ore in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. This ore will be given to this investor and the final product will be given to Iraqi Kurdistan Region at a lower price.
Relations between Erbil and Baghdad are currently not good. What is Iran doing to improve these relations? Will the border gates be closed another time?
The borders will surely not be closed. Rather, they will become broader. We tried to convince Baghdad [to be okay with] our legal
border ports reopened and all of our three border ports were reopened. By taking the measures we have thought about, relations, economic relations will hopefully be broadened day by day.
In an attempt to broaden these relations and reassure that our relations with the Kurdistan Region are important and of great interests, we in Sulaimani reduced Iranian visa fees for the people of Kurdistan over the past few months. We created conditions under which traders and business people can get Iranian visas quickly in a shorter time.
What is the role of Iran in Erbil-Baghdad dialogue?
The visit by his Excellency Barzani to Tehran opened a new page in relations between us. We have strong, warm and very profound
relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq. Bringing the positions of Erbil and Baghdad closer together and bringing about a suitable and constructive agreement can undoubtedly change future relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi central government.
The Islamic Republic of Iran can bring the positions closer and be a mediator between the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi central government. The Islamic Republic of Iran has played and will play this role between Erbil and Baghdad within the framework of the Iraqi constitution. Our mediation will have a result in a near future and the people of the Iraqi Kurdistan will benefit from it.
His Excellency Rouhani told Barzani that he supports the achievement of all the rights of the nation of Kurdistan within the framework of the Iraqi constitution. Has the Iranian perspective on this matter been clearly conveyed to Iraq’s Shiite parties?
Sure, His Excellency Rouhani told His Excellency Barzani that legal rights of all the nations in the country especially those of the Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan who have an old and shining history and they have an origin in this country should be well protected within the
framework of the Iraqi constitution. We will, within this framework, try to protect the legal and constitutional rights and interests of Iraqi Kurds. His Excellency Mr President has called on all the diplomats [of Iran] to do all they can within this framework and this will stay the same.
What does the Iranian government want from the Kurdistan Region to protect the security of its borders?
Some security questions were discussed in the meetings between Barzani, Shamkhani and Rouhani. The natural and legal expectation from the Kurdistan Region’s great neighbor, the Islamic Republic of Iran, is that we want our borders protected and for the KRG to exert all its efforts to protect these borders by seriously confronting those attacking our soldiers and border patrol guards on shared borders.
They [the Kurdistan Region] should shoulder the necessary responsibility for this. As you are aware, some of our border patrol guards
were attacked and killed by terrorists on the borders with the Kurdistan Region in the past few weeks. We expect that border protection be viewed more responsibly because this will directly serve the interests of the people of the Kurdistan Region and will play a main role in developing economic ties.
In regard to disputed areas in Khanaqin, Kirkuk, and other places, currently there are only Iraqi and Hashd al-Shaabi forces there. The Peshmerga are not there. What do you make of this? Do you think the Peshmerga should take part in running these areas or stay outside these areas?
It is clear by their name; there are disagreements on disputed areas. The best advice to resolve the situation of these areas until Article 140 is implemented is to have a force there that is tasked with primarily protecting the lives of people in these towns. I think resolving this question is not difficult.
What is the opinion of Tehran on the political and diplomatic endeavors initiated by Nechirvan Barzani in the region?
I hope the KRG becomes stable as soon as possible, and Nechirvan Barzani’s efforts to enhance understanding and improve relations
with Baghdad and neighboring countries will bear fruit. His visit to Iran, which was made in light of this, was very useful. He is a very understanding politician who can untie the knots patiently and resiliently in favor of the people of Kurdistan Region.
I hope democracy and peoples’ voices are heard in the future in this country, and also hope that their interests are taken into account well by electing the best for the Kurdistan Region’s future government.
Do you think the Peshmerga should have a presence in these disputed areas that are predominantly Kurdish, or the situation should stay the same?
If we have a look at the united Iraq, there should be no doubts or divisions among armed forces in a united Iraq. I am certain of the Iraqi constitution framework — whether it is the Peshmerga, federal police or Iraqi army, as long as they are in disputed areas in a united manner, it will be in the interests of Iraq and people of the Kurdistan Region.
I hope a united force is built of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen and other nations, who can defend their homeland, the Kurdistan Region and disputed areas. I also hope that this question is resolved through strong coordination between Erbil and Baghdad.
Masoudian explains Tehran 'has played and will play' the role of bringing Erbil and Baghdad closer and being a mediator within the framework of the Iraqi constitution. He called KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani’s recent visit to Iran ‘very useful,’ while describing the prime as a politician ‘who can untie the knots patiently and resiliently.’
The Iranian diplomat hopes ‘a united force is built of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen and other nations, who can defend their homeland.’ Masoudian believes until Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution is implemented, security should be provided by a ‘united force,’ whether they are Kurdish Peshmerga, Iraqi federal police, or army.
Rudaw: In the meeting between Nechirvan Barzani and President Hassan Rouhani, Rouhani said that Iranian traders are ready to revitalize the Kurdistan Region’s economic infrastructure. What do you think are the economic chances the two can take?
Saadullah Masoudian: I want to refer to a big and highly profitable bilateral economic project that will be announced soon. The president of the republic might have referred to this project. An investment project worth nearly half a billion dollars will be announced by a Kurdish company in the province of our Kurdistan in the coming days or perhaps this week. The result of this project will return to the Kurdistan Region 100 percent. Steel factories that are active in Iraqi Kurdistan Region — with the operation of this project and investment — will bring raw material from Iran to the Kurdistan Region at half price.
Can you explain this economic project in more detail?
I wanted the Iraqi Kurdish investors to announce this news, but also wanted to break the news myself about the project which will serve the economic interests of Iraqi Kurdistan. Isfandi steel plant project, located in between Sanandaj and Saqqez, will account for
The best steel ore can be found in our country. There is no steel ore in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. 
On the other hand, the Islamic Republic of Iran will, within the framework of this investment, create thousands of job opportunities in the plants located in the Kurdistan Province of Iran. The best steel ore can be found in our country. There is no steel ore in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. This ore will be given to this investor and the final product will be given to Iraqi Kurdistan Region at a lower price.
Relations between Erbil and Baghdad are currently not good. What is Iran doing to improve these relations? Will the border gates be closed another time?
The borders will surely not be closed. Rather, they will become broader. We tried to convince Baghdad [to be okay with] our legal
[W]e in Sulaimani reduced Iranian visa fees for the people of Kurdistan over the past few months.
In an attempt to broaden these relations and reassure that our relations with the Kurdistan Region are important and of great interests, we in Sulaimani reduced Iranian visa fees for the people of Kurdistan over the past few months. We created conditions under which traders and business people can get Iranian visas quickly in a shorter time.
What is the role of Iran in Erbil-Baghdad dialogue?
The visit by his Excellency Barzani to Tehran opened a new page in relations between us. We have strong, warm and very profound
We expect that border protection be viewed more responsibly because this will directly serve the interests of the people of the Kurdistan Region...
The Islamic Republic of Iran can bring the positions closer and be a mediator between the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi central government. The Islamic Republic of Iran has played and will play this role between Erbil and Baghdad within the framework of the Iraqi constitution. Our mediation will have a result in a near future and the people of the Iraqi Kurdistan will benefit from it.
His Excellency Rouhani told Barzani that he supports the achievement of all the rights of the nation of Kurdistan within the framework of the Iraqi constitution. Has the Iranian perspective on this matter been clearly conveyed to Iraq’s Shiite parties?
Sure, His Excellency Rouhani told His Excellency Barzani that legal rights of all the nations in the country especially those of the Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan who have an old and shining history and they have an origin in this country should be well protected within the
I hope democracy and peoples’ voices are heard in the future in this country...
What does the Iranian government want from the Kurdistan Region to protect the security of its borders?
Some security questions were discussed in the meetings between Barzani, Shamkhani and Rouhani. The natural and legal expectation from the Kurdistan Region’s great neighbor, the Islamic Republic of Iran, is that we want our borders protected and for the KRG to exert all its efforts to protect these borders by seriously confronting those attacking our soldiers and border patrol guards on shared borders.
They [the Kurdistan Region] should shoulder the necessary responsibility for this. As you are aware, some of our border patrol guards
His visit to Iran ... was very useful. He is a very understanding politician who can untie the knots patiently and resiliently in favor of the people of Kurdistan Region.
In regard to disputed areas in Khanaqin, Kirkuk, and other places, currently there are only Iraqi and Hashd al-Shaabi forces there. The Peshmerga are not there. What do you make of this? Do you think the Peshmerga should take part in running these areas or stay outside these areas?
It is clear by their name; there are disagreements on disputed areas. The best advice to resolve the situation of these areas until Article 140 is implemented is to have a force there that is tasked with primarily protecting the lives of people in these towns. I think resolving this question is not difficult.
What is the opinion of Tehran on the political and diplomatic endeavors initiated by Nechirvan Barzani in the region?
I hope the KRG becomes stable as soon as possible, and Nechirvan Barzani’s efforts to enhance understanding and improve relations
I hope a united force is built of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen and other nations, who can defend their homeland, the Kurdistan Region and disputed areas.
I hope democracy and peoples’ voices are heard in the future in this country, and also hope that their interests are taken into account well by electing the best for the Kurdistan Region’s future government.
Do you think the Peshmerga should have a presence in these disputed areas that are predominantly Kurdish, or the situation should stay the same?
If we have a look at the united Iraq, there should be no doubts or divisions among armed forces in a united Iraq. I am certain of the Iraqi constitution framework — whether it is the Peshmerga, federal police or Iraqi army, as long as they are in disputed areas in a united manner, it will be in the interests of Iraq and people of the Kurdistan Region.
I hope a united force is built of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen and other nations, who can defend their homeland, the Kurdistan Region and disputed areas. I also hope that this question is resolved through strong coordination between Erbil and Baghdad.
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