Iran’s Leader Urges Iraq to Exercise Greater Sovereignty on Kurdish Region

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei says anything that may disrupt Iran’s security will inevitably impinge on Iraq as well, calling on the Baghdad government to exercise greater sovereignty over areas in the country’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and his accompanying delegation in the Iranian capital city of Tehran on Tuesday evening.

Earlier in the day, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi received al-Sudani and deplored outsiders for fanning the flames of the region.

“Regional security, peace and stability must be ensured by the forces of the region. The presence of outsiders in the region would not create security, but adds to the problems,” the Iranian president said, as quoted by Tasnim news agency.

Decrying the US for upsetting security in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, Raisi said the withdrawal of foreign forces will greatly contribute to regional security.