Araghchi warns of ‘false-flag ploys’ to sow discord between Iran, Iraq’s Kurdistan region

Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has warned about “false-flag ploys” to sow discord between Iran and Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

He posted the warning on the social platform X on Monday (local time) hours after reports of a drone attack on the private office of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and a local security official’s residence early Monday.

“Nothing justifies the reckless attack on PM Barzani’s office. Kurdish friends should be vigilant against false-flag ploys to sow discord between neighbours,” Araghchi said.

In a phone call with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein on Monday, Araghchi highlighted Iran’s principled positions in support of Iraq’s security, stability and territorial integrity, calling for vigilance against acts of terror, including the attack on Barzani’s office, as well as the conspiracies that can harm the two countries’ “friendly and brotherly” relations with each other.

The two sides also stressed the need to ensure security and stability along the common border, and strengthen cooperation and coordination between their countries to prevent any insecurity along the border, reports Xinhua news agency.

The regional Directorate General of Counter-Terrorism said in a statement that two “Hadid-110” drones were launched from the Iranian side of the border, with no casualties reported.

Barzani said on his X account that an investigation found that his personal office and “the home of the head of the (regional) Security and Intelligence Agency were targeted by Iranian drone attacks earlier today.”

He condemned the attacks as a direct threat to the security and stability of the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

IANS