Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, has denounced threats of military actions or bombings against Iraq or the Kurdistan region.
Iraq says it has moved to disarm Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and has begun moving them away from the country's border with Iran.
In a press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Hussein confirmed the start of the disarmament of Iranian Kurdish factions.
He indicated it was unreasonable to have excellent relations between the two countries while Iraqi sovereignty and Iraqi Kurdistan are threatened by bombing or launching a military campaign.
Hussein urged the Iranian government to steer clear of such aggressive measures, suggesting resorting to dialogue and security agreements to resolve issues through negotiations. He highlighted the Iraqi constitution, which prohibits any group from using its territory to attack another country.
The minister elaborated that "security cooperation between Iraq and Iran hinges on adhering to the constitution." He stated that disarmament efforts have been carried out on groups along the Iraq-Iran border, and refugee camps have been established under the protection of the UN refugee agency.
Hussein emphasized that the plan and its implementation were a collaborative effort between the central Iraqi and Kurdistan regional governments.
The top diplomat pointed out that Iraq and Iran enjoy good relations, hoping they could resolve issues through dialogue. He invited Iranian media to visit the Kurdistan region to observe the security agreement's implementation, revealing that the plan's execution will conclude in two days.
For his part, the Iranian FM hoped that Iraq would fulfill the terms of the security agreement in the coming days.
He accentuated Iran's commitment to its security and expressed satisfaction in hearing "positive updates from the Iraqi side."
Amir-Abdollahian remained optimistic that these updates would translate to concrete actions in the immediate future, reiterating that the “terrorist region” must be eradicated under the current agreement to uphold the esteemed history of Iraq-Iran relations.
State agency IRNA cited Amir-Abdollahian as acknowledging Iraq's significant position in Iranian foreign policy, emphasizing the exemplary relations and close collaboration between the neighboring nations.
Additionally, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ground forces have reportedly stationed artillery and tanks on the border with Iraq's Kurdistan region, according to Tasnim news agency.
Hussein's visit comes ahead of Iran's September 19th deadline for the Kurdistan regional government to act against Kurdish factions opposing Tehran.
Tasnim said the troops' deployment is to maintain combat readiness and ensure the security of the northwestern borders.
The agency reported an informed source that indicated the removal of bases of separatist groups in Iraq's Kurdistan region began hours ago.
The report detailed plans to remove all party bases, including the Kurdish Freedom Party, PJAK, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party from the areas near Iran's border.
The factions are set to be relocated deeper inside Kurdistan's territory.
