Kurdistan president's Iran visit thaws ties, says Kurdish Socialist Party chief

Shafaq News/ Mohammed Haj Mahmoud, leader of the Kurdistan Socialist Democratic Party, on Friday praised a recent visit by the Kurdistan Region's President, Nechirvan Barzani, to Iran, highlighting its significance in revitalizing bilateral relations between Tehran and Erbil.

In an interview with Voice of America's Kurdish service, Mahmood, popularly known as "Kaka Hama," said Barzani's trip had "melted the ice" in relations that had cooled between Iran and the Kurdistan Region.

"Meeting the Supreme Leader of Iran is not an easy task for leaders from many other countries, yet we saw the warm reception given to President Nechirvan Barzani by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei," Kaka Hama remarked.

He stressed that both Kurdistan and Iran "now believe they need each other."

Barzani's official visit in early May included meetings with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, late President Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and other high-ranking officials.

During his discussion with Khamenei, Barzani expressed Kurdistan's readiness and desire to strengthen relations with Iran in all sectors.