Iran Imposes Fuel Boycott on Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Iran ordered its state and private sector companies to ban cargoes of fuel products heading to or coming from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Due to the recent developments in the region, and under an order by the General Office of Border Affairs and Civil Defense, the international shipping companies and the drivers are banned from loading and shipping fuel products from or to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region until further notice, a circular by Iran Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization read.

The organization has communicated the order to all the related companies since Wednesday, September 27.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani had noted on Wednesday that more sanctions will be imposed on Kurds in Iraq after closing the country's airspace to the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

"Mr. Shamkhani believed that trilateral negotiations among Iran, Iraq and Turkey will continue concurrent with talks with the Kurdistan region's groups and parties, and boycott pressures will be exerted too," Jabbar Khouchakinejad, an Iranian legislator, quoted Shamkhani as saying in a private session at the parliament on Wednesday.

According to the MP, Shamkhani stressed that different measures will be adopted to make the Kurds withdraw from their stances and the Iraqi government can even resort to military action because this separatism has happened in Iraq and the referendum has been against the Iraqi constitution, he added.

"The SNSC secretary also emphasized that Iran will support the Iraqi government's measures," Kouchakinejad said.

The referendum was held last Monday in defiance of the central government in Baghdad, which says the referendum is unconstitutional and called on the Kurdish leadership to drop the plan.

Iran, Iraq, and Turkey have jointly voiced concerns about the Kurdish independence vote, warning that it could fan the flames of tensions in the Middle East.

The UN Security Council also unanimously issued a statement on Thursday voicing alarm over “the potentially destabilizing impact” of the plebiscite. The 15-member council urged “dialogue and compromise” to address the differences between Baghdad and the Kurdish authorities.
 [farsnews.com]
 30/9/17