ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s Consul General to Sulaimani, Mohammad Mahmoudian, on Saturday welcomed the Kurdistan Region’s stance on the ongoing conflict with Israel, praising the Erbil’s leadership for its swift response and condemnation of the attacks.
“The Kurdistan Region authorities took good stances at the first opportunity. They issued a statement, and a phone call took place between Mr. Nechirvan and the foreign minister,” he told Rudaw on the sidelines of a press conference in Sulaimani.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Araghchi spoke on the phone on Monday to discuss the escalating conflict. “Barzani called for the adoption of urgent and effective measures by the international community to prevent further escalation of insecurity in the region,” a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
Mahmoudian also said that the shared borders remain open.
“The Iranian borders are open 24/7, economic trade is ongoing, and there have been no issues in this regard,” he said.
The diplomat added that Iran wants to maintain trade with the Kurdistan Region.
The flow of goods across the border has, however, slowed. Truck drivers say they are waiting for days to cross the border.
US intervention
Mahmoudian further warned United States President Donald Trump not to get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran because it could threaten the stability of the entire region.
“I hope Trump doesn't follow [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu's stupidity and directly enter this conflict. In that case, a dire situation awaits the aggressors and the entire region,” Mahmoudian said.
Trump on Friday said he was giving Iran two weeks before he would make a decision about getting directly involved in the conflict. “I'm giving them a period of time, I would say two weeks will be the maximum,” he said.
Mahmoudian claimed that Israel has “full support from the US” in its war with Iran.
He condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran nuclear facilities, which he noted are under international supervision, and said that Iran has the full right to respond within the framework of international law.
“Iran, based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has exercised its legitimate right to self-defense and has responded seriously to the attacks by the criminal regime,” he said.
He also said the United Nations Security Council has a clear responsibility and “is obliged to interfere in the situation and stop the violation.”
Israel launched a military operation against Iran on June 13, striking nuclear sites and assassinating many top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated and the two continue to target each other with air and missile strikes. The escalation brought an end to Iran’s indirect nuclear talks with Washington.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Tehran is ready to continue nuclear negotiations once the conflict with Israel is over.
Updated at 6:50 pm.
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