“Hoisting any flag except Iraq’s national flag in Kirkuk in northern Iraq is contradictory to the country’s constitution and will increase tensions,” said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bahram Qassemi, as reported by Fars News.
He warned against dividing the attention of the Iraqi government, which, he argued, should be focused on defeating ISIS in the country, an endeavor that has the support of Iran.
Qassemi also said that Iran remains steadfast in its support for Iraq’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
The Kurdish flag was first officially raised in Kirkuk during a Newroz event and the provincial council voted later to fly the flag alongside the Iraqi one over all government institutions. The council argues that they are justified in doing so because Kirkuk is officially a disputed area and so can constitutionally raise the flags of both Erbil and Baghdad governments.
In a rare show of unity, Kurdish parties supported the move and together boycotted a vote in Baghdad that sought to lower the flag.
The speaker of Iraq’s parliament on Monday formed a committee to prepare a report on the issue within 10 days.
