ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Wednesday held a phone call to discuss escalating regional tensions following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with both sides emphasizing border security and the need to prevent further instability.
According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, President Barzani received a call from Araghchi, during which they reviewed bilateral relations and “the latest developments in the region and their implications.”
The phone call comes as the US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Saturday, killing dozens of senior officials, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran's response has targeted several regional countries that host US military bases, including the Kurdistan Region.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability,” the presidency said, adding they “stressed the protection of border security in a manner that prevents any attempt to undermine regional stability or further complicate the situation.”
President Barzani reaffirmed that the Region “will not become a party to the conflicts and will remain, as always, a factor for peace,” expressing support for “diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and shield the peoples of the region from the dangers of war.