Iran to close borders if Kurdistan moves towards independence: representative

Iran has warned that a move from the Kurdistan Region toward an independent state will result in the closure of the country’s border crossings with the region, Nazim Dabagh, the representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Tehran, said.

Iran has been clear in its position in reaction to the plans of holding an independence referendum on Sept. 25 this year, urging the Kurdistan Region to reverse such a decision, Dabagh told NRT in a statement.

“It is improbable to happen [closure of border crossings by Iran after the referendum],” Dabagh said. “No time has been scheduled for talks with Iran over the Kurdistan Region’s referendum, though they [Iran] have clearly told the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) their opposition stance.”

Tehran’s backing militarily for the Peshmerga forces in the fight against Islamic State (IS) may also come to an end in the outcome of holding the referendum, he added.

“Tehran has expressed a willingness to help mend pending issues between Erbil and Baghdad.” Iran seems to have the same position that Baghdad has towards the referendum on the independence of Kurdistan, he further said.

The autonomous northern Kurdistan Region is expected to hold a referendum on September 25 with the aim to establish an independent state.