ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The prime minister of Iraq assured visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a high-profile government delegation that the Iraqi government will not allow its border areas to be used as a launchpad for attacks on the neighboring country, referring to the exiled Iranian Kurdish groups.

"We touched upon security cooperation, and stressed our principled, constitutional and legal position, not to allow any party whatsoever to commit aggression or armed action or cross-border threat against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said during his press conference with Pezeshkian.

Sudani added they have “succeeded” in securing border regions and their “joint security committee continues its commitments and tasks”.

Iraq and Iran signed a security pact in September 2023, which details the exiled Iranian Kurdish opposition groups should be disarmed and removed from their bases near Iranian border, and be relocated to refugee camps. 

Fulfilling its obligations per the pact, the Iraqi National Security Service announced earlier this week that they had so far shut down 77 military bases of the Kurdish exiled groups near Iran’s border areas, with their Peshmerga forces relocated to six refugee camps, including four camps in Erbil and two camps in Sulaimani.

Iran had repeatedly threatened to take matters into their own hands through military actions if Baghdad failed to implement the details of the pact. 

Soon after the deal was signed, Baghdad announced that they had disarmed and removed the Kurdish opposition groups on the border.

The armed Kurdish opposition groups of Iran have fought an on-and-off war with the Islamic Republic of Iran for decades now, striving for greater rights of Kurds in the western regions of the country.

Tehran considers the Kurdish groups threats to its national security, repeatedly calling on the KRG to stop them from using the border areas as a launchpad for attacks, however all Komala parties have time and again claimed that they are in a state of self defense and have not provoked Tehran.

Iran regularly carries out cross-border artillery, drone and ballistic missiles on alleged positions of the Kurdish armed groups, with civilians often caught in crossfire.

Fourteen Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)

Before Sudani and Pezeshkian headed to the press conference hall, both leaders oversaw the signing of 14 MoUs, in the presence of several ministers of goth governments ranging from culture to security, economy and education.

"Today we signed 14 memoranda of understanding in various and multiple fields, which, along with the previously signed memoranda of understanding, will represent a promising roadmap to enhance joint cooperations between the two countries,” Sudani explained.

The agreements had been supposed to be signed between both nations during a planned visit of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Iraq who died in a helicopter crash upon his return from Azerbaijan in May. 

The MoUs were signed today in the fields of security, culture, economy, vocational training, youth and sports, education, tourism, antiquities, and skilled labor development, as well as collaboration between the chambers of commerce, according to a statement from the PM Sudani media office.  

Pezeshkian arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday on his first official foreign visit since taking office in July, where he was received by both Sudani and President Abdul Latif Rashid.

Prime Minister Sudani welcomed Pezeshkian at Baghdad International Airport in an official ceremony that included the playing of the national anthems of both countries and a review of the honor guard, representing various branches of Iraq’s armed forces. 

After the airport ceremony, Pezeshkian was greeted at Baghdad Palace by Iraqi President Rashid. 

During their press conference, Sudani said their meetings also focused on regional developments, particularly the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The Iraqi PM described Pezeshkian’s visit to Iraq as being “important” which he said “represents a driving force for the path of growing bilateral relations” between Tehran and Baghdad.

Pezeshkian is set to visit Najaf, Karbala, Basra, and the Kurdistan Region during his visit.

The Iranian president is expected in Erbil on Thursday, where he will meet with KDP’s President Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

During his visit to Erbil, it is expected that he will discuss the fate of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups that have for years sought shelter in the Region.

Iran and Iraq enjoy “historical, religious, and cultural” relations which help them build “highest levels of cooperation and partnership and bilateral works for the interests of the two nations," Sudani said.