Zibakalam, a media pundit and reformist, said the Kurdistan Region is not as divided on Iran as officials appear to be in Baghdad, making Erbil a more reliable mediator.
The Bradford graduate and bestselling author also believes Barzani could mediate between Tehran and Iran’s Kurds, who are denied cultural and political rights.
Tehran fears calls for independence among its Kurdish population, but would only submit to allowing greater freedoms for Kurds within the framework of the Islamic Republic, Zibakalam said.
Relations between Iran and the Kurdistan Region have room to improve during Barzani’s four-year term, he said, particularly the potential for Iranian investment in the Region’s oil and gas fields.
The strength of these relations depends on Erbil’s willingness to stop Kurdish armed groups using its territory to launch attacks on Iran, he added.
Zibakalam is an outspoken critic of Iran’s hardliners who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in March 2018 for spreading “anti-state propaganda”. The sentence was later reduced to a fine.
Interview by Fuad Rahim
Rudaw: Where does Kurdistan Region feature in Iran’s foreign and economic policies?
The closer the Kurdistan Region gets to independence, the more Iran gets upset 
Why do you think they are concerned about the Kurdistan Region getting independence?
Because they think the establishment of an independent Kurdish state will encourage Iranian Kurds to seek such things. In other words, they see it as something that will make Iranian Kurds ask for more. For example, if their current request is to have their kids studying in Kurdish in Mahabad, Sanandij, Bukan, or Saqqez, they will seek more when they realize they can also form a regional independent Kurdish government or parliament. Then they might also ask for a Kurdish governor or mayor. That is how they see Iranian Kurds reacting if an independent Kurdish state breaks away from Iraq. That is why Iran is concerned about your independence advancing or getting serious. They think it will influence Iranian Kurds.
How are current relations between Iran and Kurdistan Region?
Barzani is a mature and sensible person. He is not the kind of person to engage in revolutionary rhetoric without calculations How can relations between Iran and Kurdistan Region be developed under the presidency of Nechirvan Barzani?
Generally, Iran has a positive opinion of Nechirvan Barzani. The Iranian government and officials see Barzani as an experienced and competent person in international relations. They respect him. Barzani is a mature and sensible person. He is not the kind of person to engage in revolutionary rhetoric without calculations. In light of all of this, I see relations between Iran and Kurdistan Region being good and positive in the next four years. During these four years Barzani is president of the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) can play a second role too, aside from relations between Erbil and Tehran. It can be a medium for communication between Tehran and Washington because Tehran has big confidence in Barzani and the KRG and the US has good relations with Barzani and the Kurdistan Region too.
Iraq has also offered to become a mediator between Iran and the US. Do you think these mediations will be stronger and more reliable if led by Nechirvan Barzani?
The Kurdistan Region is united, but Baghdad is not. There are some Iraqi Shiite authorities who don’t see Iran very positively What are the areas Erbil and Tehran can work on to develop bilateral relations?
His Excellency Barzani and authorities in the Kurdistan Region can play a very important role in this matter by [warding off] the fears and concerns Tehran has about independence of Kurdistan Region from Baghdad and encouraging our Kurdish populations. I think Barzani and leaders of the Kurdistan Region can reassure Iran not to be concerned, that they don’t want to encourage Iranian Kurds to seek independence, they don’t want their territory to be used by Iranian Kurds to set up headquarters, and that they don’t want to meddle in affairs between Iran and Iranian Kurds. This way, the Kurdistan Region can reassure Iran and build mutual trust.
Do you think the time has come for an opening toward the Kurdish question in Iran under the presidency of Nechirvan Barzani?
The Kurdistan Region can bring these two parties closer together through mutual understanding and dialogue, paving the way for some privileges to be given to Iranian Kurds. Do you think Iran will be interested in this?
I think moderates and reformists have reached a conclusion that it is impractical to sideline the demands Iranian Kurds have, and ask them to take part in elections every four years. Some of their demands are impossible, while some possible such as studying in the Kurdish language.
