Iran’s ambassador to Iraq denies Tehran’s hand in Kirkuk, Shingal

Iraj Masjedi, Iran’s ambassador to Iraq, has denied any Iranian hand in the events of October 2017 in Kirkuk and its rumored support for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Shingal. He also ruled out any possibility of dialogue with armed groups operating in Iran’s Kurdish provinces.  

Masjedi was a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) for 35 years, serving in the Quds Force, a special armed wing for extraterritorial operations.

He was nevertheless seen by Kurdish officials when he was appointed in 2017 as a good negotiator, able to bridge communal divisions in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. 

In this abridged interview with Rudaw, Masjedi said Tehran is hopeful about the new parliament taking shape in Erbil and the new government in Baghdad. He expects Iran’s historical ties with Iraq and the KRG will persevere despite the current sanctions spat with the US. 

Rudaw: Iran is a regional force that has continuously played a role in the region and Iraq. What is the role of Iran currently in Iraq?

Ambassador Iraj Masjedi: By virtue of sharing a long border with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, cultural and political relations, and being two Muslim neighbors, it is natural for relations between us to be strong and broad. This reflects on economic, social, cultural, political and security relations. These relations developed further after the fall of Saddam in 2003. This is the same with the Kurdistan Region. Thank God, these relations are at a very good level.

What do you think of the new Iraqi government led by Dr Adil Abdul-Mahdi?

His Excellency, Dr. Adil Abdul-Mahdi is one of the people who have historic relations with Iran. Our relations with him date back to the time before the collapse of Saddam. We know him very well. Our relations with him and his cabinet will be positive and constructive. I think he will develop relations with Iran and other countries. We have declared our readiness to help the Iraqi government in any way to succeed in different aspects. We both need each other and should therefore further our relations. We want his cabinet to succeed.

In what respects will Iran help Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s government?

The assistance will be multi-faceted ranging from politics to the economy. We helped Iraq in the war on ISIS and ISIS was finally defeated, thank God. This kind of assistance in the fields of defense and security can continue. Cultural and social relations between the two countries are extensive. Every year, over 6 million people travel between these two countries for medical or tourism purposes. Iranians travel to Iraq, and Iraqis travel to Iran. This is the same with the Kurdistan Region too. That is why relations between the two are serious and extensive.

What do you think of new Iraqi President Barham Salih?

Concerning the President of Iraq, Barham Salih, we are glad to see the Kurds playing a serious and effective role in the Iraqi government. They occupy high-level cabinet positions like ministries and the Iraqi presidency. Before coming to this interview, I saw the Finance Minister Fuad Hussein. We are happy that dear Kurdish friends and brothers have an important role in the Iraqi central government. Our acquaintance with President Barham Salih dates back to the time of [Jalal] Talabani. I think he can help Iraq develop and resolve problems between Baghdad and Erbil. He can also help Iraqi-Iranian relations. I think Salih, Abdul-Mahdi and the Iraqi parliament can play an important and constructive role in building the country. I hope Salih, who is with the PUK and an Iranian friend, develops relations with the Islamic Republic and the Kurdistan Region as well during his tenure. I hope he can help resolve internal Iraqi problems.

The second round of US sanctions has now been imposed on Iran. You previously objected to former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi welcoming the sanctions. What do you expect the new Iraqi government to do in this new round of sanctions?

We expect the Iraqis to take into account the interests of the people of Iraq and mutual interests between the two countries. US sanctions are not something new for the Islamic Republic. In the past, even the UN Security Council imposed sanctions and Europeans supported them. But this time the question is different. It is only the US that has pulled out from the deal and turned to sanctions, pressure and threats. These things can make no one succumb. We expect the Iraqi government and others including European countries not to sacrifice their interests and their mutual interests with the Islamic Republic to US policy and wishes. Iraqi-US relations should not be used to undermine relations between Iran and Iraq.

Will Iran continue exporting its goods to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region after these sanctions?

Currently, we have very good relations with the Kurdistan Region, including political relations. Presently, the Islamic Republic has two representation offices in the Kurdistan Region – a consulate office in Erbil and one in Sulaimani. We have very good political relations too. In relation to economic relations, there are strong economic relations between Iran and Iraq and this is reflected in business exchanges in Bashmagh, Parviskhan, Tamarchin and Haji Omaran crossings. That is why the Islamic Republic has love and high respect for Kurdish people and the KRG. We will hopefully try to develop economic, political, scientific, academic, and cultural relations.

The Iraqi government has said it will halt exporting Kirkuk oil via tankers. Has this decision been implemented? Has oil exportation through tankers been halted?

We had an oil exchange agreement with Iraq and the agreement is still valid. But the question is still open about the way to implement and strengthen the agreement – whether to export the oil by tankers or other ways. There is a possibility it might be exported by pipeline or some other way in the future. This is related to the interests of both countries. It is natural for us to have this kind of relationship and it is normal for Americans not to like this. That is why they want to impede this kind of assistance. But I think they will not be successful in doing so because the interests of Iraq and Iran require these relations in all respects.

What is your stance on the Iraqi government’s decision to halt the export of oil to Iran via pipeline?

We are currently negotiating.

At the OPEC meeting, the Iranian minister of oil told Rudaw there will be an oil pipeline between Iraq and Iran to export especially Kirkuk oil. When will this decision be implemented?

There will be an investigation and negotiations about this project. It is in its early stages and is one of the important subjects between us and Iraq.

What is the extent of business exchanges between Iraq and Iran, especially after ISIS?

The amount of business exchange between us was $6.5 billion last year and this will increase this year. I think it will reach $8.5 billion by the end of this year. This is as far as business exchanges are concerned.

There are claims you have helped the PKK to remain in Shingal. Is this true?

No, this is not true.

Is there any relationship between you and the PKK?

No. They are in northern Iraq where there is no Islamic Republic presence. We have no role in these places.

The KDP won 45 seats in recent Kurdish parliamentary elections and this is expected to bring about new political dynamics in the Kurdistan Region. What do you make of these anticipated political dynamics?

We as the Islamic Republic are happy to see democracy getting gradually stronger in Iraq. The hallmarks of a democracy are surely the holding of elections, forming a parliament, and hearing peoples’ voices. In the Islamic Republic, we respect and support peoples’ voices very much. That is why we respect Iraqi and Kurdish parliamentary elections as well as the results of these elections and the voices of the people of Kurdistan. The KDP won more votes, the PUK won some votes, Gorran and other minority parties as well. What I find interesting is that the Kurdish parliament represents the entire people of the Kurdistan Region and parties. Although the KDP has won more seats, other parties can also play their role in the parliament according to their weight. We respect the Kurdish parliament, lawmakers and their decisions. There are many friends in the Kurdistan Region and parliament who had and still have very good relations with the Islamic Republic. Likewise, the KRG has very good relations with the Islamic Republic. I hope the parliament will have the same relations with us too.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has strong relations with the PUK. How are your relations with the KDP and Gorran?

We have had very good relations with the KDP since before 1991 when many KDP leaders including Idris Barzani, Masoud Barzani and many others were in Iran. I can mention the names of 1,000 more. We also had very good relations with the PUK, Gorran and Nawshirwan Mustafa when he was a deputy to Jalal Talabani and when he formed Gorran later as well. Iran has very positive relations with Kurdish parties including the KDP, PUK, Gorran and other parties. We think these parties are all friends of the Islamic Republic. They might have rivalries, disagreements and political frictions with each other, especially during elections. But these are matters internal to the region. The Islamic Republic deals with all Kurdish parties as a friend, neighbor and brother. We want to resolve problems between Kurdish parties so that they can live together in peace as brothers and friends. We don’t differentiate between the KDP and PUK in the KRG, parliament or in Baghdad. We have friendly and brotherly relations with them.

What do you expect from the new Kurdish government, especially post-US sanctions?

We wish success to the KRG and we will help them in any area where they need assistance. I think the Kurdistan Region has a very important geopolitical position in the country. That is why relations with the Region have its own value and importance for the Islamic Republic. We hope the KRG does its best to improve peoples’ living conditions and deliver better services and we as the Islamic Republic will help them. Our economic relations can benefit the Region a lot. That is why I have hope in the KRG. It is my opinion and that of the Islamic Republic Nechirvan Barzani has governed the Kurdistan Region very well. Big changes and developments have happened in the Region. We will be very happy to see the Kurdistan Region progress day by day and become a very developed place. Be sure Iran as a brother and friend will continue its support for the Region.

You had complained that the KRG has closer business ties with Turkey than with Iran. Is this still your impression on the KRG?

I don’t think we can call this a complaint, if I may correct you on this matter. The Kurdistan Region has two important borders – one with Turkey and one with Iran. I think its relations with these two countries are very natural. They can benefit from Turkey’s capabilities as well as the Islamic Republic. It is however natural for us as the Islamic Republic to want to have these relations with Iran to be stronger and more extensive. We in no way reject the Region’s relations with any other country because this is related to the Region’s necessities and interests. The Region can make its own decisions in this regard. We expect and want the Region to deepen and develop its relations with the Islamic Republic.

Some democratic party officials have called for negotiations and dialogue with Iran to reach an agreement. Do you talk to them?

We might not have held direct talks with them, but have conveyed messages via the Kurdistan Region. And the crux of the matter is that they will not be allowed to carry out military operations. This is the position of the Islamic Republic. Iranian Kurdish parties should not abuse the Kurdistan Region if they want to be there otherwise it will harm the [interests] of the people and the KRG. They shouldn’t carry out military activities against the Islamic Republic.

Are you as the Islamic Republic of Iran prepared to negotiate with these Kurdish parties? Or will you allow them to return to Iran?

We can in no way negotiate with them because they are armed groups. There is a law that regulates the work of political parties in Iran. There are many parties taking part in elections. But groups like the hypocrites [Mujahidin Khalik] or the Democratic Party are armed and violated the laws and constitution of the Islamic Republic. That is why it is natural for the Islamic Republic not to want to have any peaceful negotiation with them.

The Kurdistan Region held an independence referendum last year. Ilnur Cevik, Erdogan’s advisor, said: “Turkey doesn’t have to do anything to prevent the referendum because Iran has prepared an extensive agenda to confront the referendum.” Why was Iran against the referendum more than other countries?

Statements made by Turkish officials are related to them. I have nothing to say about statements made by other people. The Islamic Republic’s policy and stance are very clear. We communicated our stance to the Iraqi government, the Kurdistan Region, our friends in the KDP and PUK. This is no secret. We declared we were against the separation of Kurdistan from Iraq. But this wasn’t because we are against Kurdish people. We said Iran’s fundamental policy was against the splintering of Iraq regardless of whether it is in Basra or other provinces. The Islamic Republic thinks the division of Islamic or neighboring countries is championed and encouraged from the outside. That is why we as the Islamic Republic cannot accept it. The question is not about Kurdistan or its referendum. We told our friends in the Kurdistan Region very clearly that Iran was against separation of Kurdistan from Iraq. We still take the same stance on this matter and this is not something new.

Some officials and parties in the Kurdistan Region have said Iran is trying to divide the Kurdistan Region. Is this true?

No, this is not true. We have had regular negotiations with the Kurdistan Region, KRG and Nechirvan Barzani inside the Kurdistan Region and in Tehran during Nechirvan Barzani’s visits. Our relations are very friendly. Claims that we are trying to dissolve the Region or divide it are not true. You are currently in the Kurdistan Region. Can you see efforts on the part of the Islamic Republic against the Region? There isn’t such a thing.

But these things are not visible. And I don’t know whether they exist in secret.

The Islamic Republic will in no way do something to undermine the Kurdistan Region publicly or secretly. All these political, economic, trade relations, travel and Islamic Republic’s representations are meant to strengthen these relations. I want to tell you, dear people of Kurdistan and the KRG that the Islamic Republic has very friendly relations. Our policy in public and secret is to strengthen, assist and support the Region within the framework of the Iraqi constitution, brotherly and friendly relations, protection of neighborly relations and mutual respect.

According to statements by the Kurdistan Region president and his deputy and some Hashd al-Shaabi officials, Iran played a main role in Hashd al-Shaabi’s attack on Kirkuk on October 16. Why did Iran have such a role?

Why and how was the Hashd al-Shaabi force formed in Iraq? The Hashd al-Shaabi was a movement formed by a fatwa from the Iraqi Marja. And many Iraqi people and youth joined the movement to confront terrorism, ISIS. The intrinsic philosophy of the Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq was to fight against ISIS and terrorists as well as liberating some places which were invaded. This is the Hashd al-Shaabi force. The Islamic Republic helps and is behind the Iraqi government. The Hashd al-Shaabi is part of and under the umbrella of Iraqi armed forces. That is why Iran has supported the Hashd al-Shaabi, Iraqi army and Iraqi Peshmerga. The Islamic Republic will act against none of them. On the contrary, we try to improve relations between the KRG and Baghdad, officials from both sides, their political and economic relations. What is important for us is to build brotherly and friendly relations between all the communities of Iraq, between the Region and central government.

How do you think the problem of Kirkuk should be resolved?

We think this is a question for the Iraqi government, the constitution, and the KRG. We don’t interfere in this matter. We respect and support any agreement between the KRG and central government on this issue.