On Thursday, May 22, 2025, a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) arrived in Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The delegation was led by Omid Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil, and included Dr. Ali Tatar, Governor of Duhok; Dr. Haval Abubakr, Governor of Sulaymaniyah; Nukhsha Nasih, Governor of Halabja; Shakir Hussein, Head of KRG-Iran Relations; the heads of the chambers of commerce and industry of Erbil and Duhok; and the head of the Haji Omran international border community. They were received at Mehrabad Airport.
During their visit, the delegation held meetings with governors from Eastern Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan, and Kermanshah. A key highlight of the visit was a meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, alongside the Governor of Tehran and representatives from the Tehran Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking to The Kurdish Globe, Governor Omid Khoshnaw emphasized the significance of the visit. “One of the most important meetings was with the President of Iran, who expressed his satisfaction with the strong relations between neighboring provinces in Iran and the Kurdistan Region. He reaffirmed support for existing agreements and highlighted Iran’s commitment to coexistence, peace, and increased cooperation.”
Governor Khoshnaw also stressed the broader goals of the visit: “This trip is part of ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation and coordination between our provinces and Iran. We share a long border and mutual commercial interests, which must be protected and advanced.”
He added that the delegation also discussed the facilities and preparations the Kurdistan Region provides for Iranian pilgrims traveling to Iraq’s holy sites. “This aspect of cooperation was highly appreciated by the Iranian side,” he noted.
Hoshyar Sadiq Fandi, a former member of the Sulaymaniyah Provincial Council, told The Kurdish Globe that the visit was strategically important. “It will boost commercial exchange, deepen bilateral relations, and open new economic opportunities. The warm reception, including a two-hour meeting with President Pezeshkian, shows the growing diplomatic and economic stature of the Kurdistan Region.”
Fandi further highlighted that the Kurdistan Region is now viewed as a significant non-state actor in the region. “Respect for sovereignty, mutual values, and security is central to this cooperation. Iran can benefit from Kurdistan’s progress in various sectors, just as Kurdistan can learn from Iran’s strengths in agriculture and industry.”
He concluded by emphasizing Kurdistan’s growing role in the regional economy: “With its modern industrial base, infrastructure, and banking system, the Kurdistan Region is becoming an economic hub. The support of neighboring countries is crucial, and it’s promising to see interest not only from Iran but also from Turkey, Syria, and the UAE in engaging with Kurdistan’s economic development.”
