ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday held a phone call with Kuwaiti premier Ahmad al-Abdullah al-Sabah, discussing the recent escalations in the region and the need to enhance concerted efforts toward deescalation.

US and Israel launched a full-fledged war against Iran last week, leading to a retaliatory campaign by Iran and its proxies which has targeted US interests across the Middle East, including attacks on both the Kurdistan Region and Kuwait, causing heavy material damage.

“We expressed deep concern over the war and widespread turmoil,” wrote Barzani in a post on X on the call with the Kuwaiti prime minister.

“We emphasized stronger cooperation to help de-escalate the situation and preserve peace and stability,” he added.

The Kurdistan Region has been targeted on a daily basis by Iran and its proxies since the war began last week. While most of the projectiles have been intercepted, fragments of aerial intercepts often result in fires and material damage.

Additionally, the instability has led many of the Region’s oil and gas producers to halt production, causing frequent power blackouts.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also held separate phone calls with French President Emannuel Macron and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday evening.

During the calls, the leaders expressed concern about the risk of further escalation, emphasizing the need for increased international efforts to prevent that outcome and restore peace and security to the region.

On Sunday, Macron said the conflict has pushed France to reinforcing its military and defensive support for its allies in the region, calling Iran’s retaliatory strikes against neighboring countries “completely disproportionate and indiscriminate.”

On Tuesday, Macron ordered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle to the Mediterranean sea to protect its allies and assets in the region.

NATO air defense systems on Wednesday downed a missile reportedly launched from Iran toward Turkey. Iran denied targeting the country a day later.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday said that Tehran has decided not to attack neighboring countries and suspend missile strikes “unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.”

Hours later, the Iranian foreign ministry emphasized that Iran will continue exercising its “inherent right to self defense,” until the US-Israeli aggression stops.

The attacks on the Kurdistan Region have targeted the US Consulate General in Erbil, US military sites, and bases of exiled Kurdish opposition groups from western Iran (Rojhelat).