“For companies working in the food industry, there is enough food, and in no way is it allowed for the prices to be tampered with. All support will be provided to merchants, and trade routes are not closed. There is no need for people to be worried,” Khoshnaw told reporters in Erbil.
He said that local authorities are monitoring market prices on a daily basis to ensure that “the needs of the people” are met and that citizens are not exploited.
“Surely the fighting in our neighbouring country [Iran] will impact our country as well. As we have said, the Kurdistan Region is not part of the conflict and will not be part of the conflict,” he added.
The comments come amid escalated military tensions between Iran and Israel, which immediately affected the currency exchange. The US dollar surged against the Iraqi dinar in the first days of the conflict, affecting the market.
Iran and Israel have traded salvos of missiles for six days after Israel on Friday targeted nuclear and military facilities in Iran, killing top military commanders and nuclear scientists.
The devastating attacks have killed at least 24 civilians in Israel and 224 Iranians, according to the latest official figures. Nearly 600 Israelis and 1,300 Iranians have been injured.
