Barzani: Borders Were Shut From Day One and Iranian Opposition Parties Cannot Attack Iran From Kurdistan Region Soil

Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, said on Monday 20 Mehr 1405 (12 October 2026) at the MERI Forum in Erbil that the region's stance since the start of the war has been to avoid being drawn into the conflict and to preserve security and stability. "Iran is our neighbour and this was not our war," he said; borders were closed from day one, security forces were deployed along the frontier, and Iranian opposition parties based in the region were told explicitly that they may not launch any armed attack on Iran from Iraqi soil.

On an Axios report about the region mediating between the United States and Iran, Barzani said: "What is in that report is largely accurate, and I really did play such a role." He added that, in his view, Washington viewed it with appreciation and Iran reacted positively. We have not reviewed the Axios report itself, and neither Tehran nor Washington confirmed details of the mediation in these reports.

The remarks were reported by Donya-e-Eqtesad, citing Al-Mustaqilla, and by EcoIran, citing Fararu and Shafaq News.