President Barzani speaks with Iran’s president-elect Pezeshkian

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday spoke on the phone with Iran’s president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian, congratulating him on his recent election victory. 

President Barzani “wished him success in his duty and responsibility,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency. 

Pezeshkian, the lone reformist candidate, won Iran’s run-off presidential election on Friday. The vote was called following the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. He garnered over 53 percent of the vote, beating his ultraconservative rival Saeed Jalili.  

Pezeshkian is expected to be sworn in on July 30, according to Iranian media.

“His Excellency emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s and its people’s readiness and intention to bolster long-standing friendly relations and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all fields, based on respect, mutual interest and a good neighborhood which could bring prosperity for both nations,” added the statement. 

The Kurdish leader also said he was certain that Pezeshkian’s leadership will “deepen” bilateral relations and friendship. 

The statement cited Pezeshkian as thanking President Barzani for the phone call, stressing that his country seeks improved relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. 

There was no immediate statement from Pezeshkian regarding the phone call.