Shafaq News/Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in the Kurdistan Region on Thursdaymorning, Accompanied by a high-level delegation, Pezeshkian’s visit aims tostrengthen ties between Iran and the autonomous Kurdish region.
Shafaq Newscorrespondent reported that Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani, Iraqi ForeignMinister Fuad Hussein, and several officials welcomed Iranian President with anofficial ceremony at Erbil International Airport.
The Iranianpresident is scheduled to hold several meetings with Kurdish leaders in Erbilthen head to Al-Sulaymaniyah.
The visitfollows Pezeshkian’s arrival in Baghdad on Wednesday, where he met with keyIraqi leaders, including President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, PM Mohammed ShiaAl-Sudani, Acting Speaker of Parliament Mohsen al-Mandalawi, and Chief JusticeFaiq Zidan, as well as several political figures.
“This visitis a key moment in fortifying Iran's relationships with neighboring countries,particularly the Kurdistan region,” Iranian Consul General in Al-Sulaymaniyah,Mohammad Mahmoudian, said during a press conference. Pezeshkian is scheduled tomeet with Kurdish officials in both Erbil and Al-Sulaymaniyah, includingleaders of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
sources toldShafaq News that Pezeshkian’s arrival was met with heightened security,particularly in Al-Sulaymaniyah, where local security forces, includingcommandos, the Asayish, and Peshmerga units, were deployed across the city.“The security forces have secured key locations, especially in Baznai MalekMahmoud Street and surrounding areas, as part of efforts to ensure the safetyof the visit.”
"Strengtheningbilateral relations, especially with the Kurdistan region, is a key priorityfor Iran," Mahmoudian added, highlighting the importance of regionalstability and collaboration.
Pezeshkianis expected to hold discussions focused on economic partnerships and bordersecurity, which have been long-standing areas of cooperation between Iran andthe Kurdistan region.
This is an updated story...