Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has initiated a series of high-level meetings in Tehran, beginning with a reception by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday. This visit underscores efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties and address recent challenges between Erbil and Tehran.

"Both sides stressed developing Iran’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region based on the principle of good neighborliness and common interests, as well as raising the level of commercial trade and economic relations," stated a press release from the Kurdistan Region presidency following the meeting.

The discussions emphasized the importance of cooperation and support among Tehran, Erbil, and Baghdad to safeguard regional security—a critical focal point amid ongoing geopolitical dynamics.

President Barzani's agenda also includes meetings with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and other senior officials. This diplomatic engagement marks President Barzani's fifth visit to Iran in a decade, reflecting the enduring significance of bilateral relations. His previous visit in August 2021 coincided with President Raisi's inauguration.

Accompanying President Barzani are key officials including the Kurdistan Region’s Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed and Chief of Staff at the Presidency Fawzi Hariri, underscoring the importance of the discussions.

While acknowledging historical ties and Iran's contributions to the Kurdistan Region's economic prosperity, recent strains in the relationship have emerged due to Tehran's actions against exiled Kurdish groups and missile strikes on alleged Mossad bases within the Kurdistan Region.

Dilshad Shahab, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region presidency, highlighted the trip's purpose in reaffirming Erbil’s commitment to regional stability and assuring allies that the Kurdistan Region will not pose a threat to neighboring interests, particularly those of Iran.

"It is no secret that there has been a kind of coldness in these [Erbil-Tehran] relations in recent times; we want to be assured that the common interests of both sides outweigh the obstacles that may arise," Shahab expressed during an interview with Rudaw’s Sangar Abdulrahman.

President Barzani's diplomatic discussions aim to navigate and strengthen bilateral ties amidst regional complexities, emphasizing shared interests and stability as central pillars for future cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Iran. This diplomatic visit underscores the significance of fostering constructive relations to address mutual concerns and preserve regional security.