Top Iraqi, Kurdish security officials meet Iranian FM in Tehran

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji headed a top security delegation including Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed to Tehran on Sunday, meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. They discussed security cooperation between the two countries.

Araji said in a post on X that they discussed matters of “joint security cooperation between the two countries, and to confirm Iraq's firm and principled position on the necessity of preserving the borders, preventing smuggling operations, and combating the scourge of drugs.”

The Kurdistan Region’s interior minister was also a part of the delegation.

Iraq and Iran signed a security pact in March 2023 that saw Baghdad agree to disarm Kurdish opposition groups and secure the border regions. Iran had threatened to use military action if Baghdad failed to fulfill the agreement.

The Sunday meeting also emphasized “the importance of cooperation between the countries of the region and avoiding the risks of expanding the scope of the conflict and pressure to stop the war in Gaza and Lebanon,” Araji added.

In September, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani hosted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signing 14 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) ranging from culture to the economy and security.