President Barzani, Raisi have phone call to discuss bilateral relations

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani spoke on the phone with Iran’s president-elect Ebrahim Raisi on Monday, discussing bolstering bilateral relations, according to a statement from the Kurdish presidency. 

Barzani “reiterated his gratitude and acknowledgement for Iran’s aid and support for the Kurdistan Region in hard times, hoping that the Kurdistan Region’s historic relations with the Islamic Republic [of Iran] further develop during President Raisi’s reign based on mutual interests and good neighbours,” the statement read.

Iran was among the first countries providing aid to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces when the Islamic State (ISIS) neared the capital city of Erbil in 2014. 

Raisi was elected president of Iran on Friday, securing 62 percent of the vote. The hardline judge was the favorite to win since the powerful Guardian Council that vets candidates barred his main rivals from running. 

Barzani sent him a congratulatory letter on Saturday, expressing wishes for better relations.

Erbil and Tehran already have good relations, especially in terms of business. They also have several shared border crossings.

Raisi thanked Barzani for the phone call, “hoping for further development of relations and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s aid for Iraq and Kurdistan Region,” according to the statement from Barzani’s office.