At a Glance

• Nechirvan Barzani says the Kurdistan Region must not be used to launch threats against Iran.
• He criticizes Iranian Kurdish opposition forces over their conduct during the conflict.
• Barzani says regional changes are opening a new era and stresses the need to guarantee Kurdish rights constitutionally.
• He also discusses the peace process in Turkey and developments in Syria and Iraq’s economic challenges.

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Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani addressed regional transformations, security challenges, Kurdish rights, and political developments across the Middle East during a special panel at the MERI Forum in Erbil.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Regional Security: “The Kurdistan Region cannot be a launching pad for threats against Iran.” — Nechirvan Barzani
• Iranian Kurdish Opposition: “Unfortunately, the Iranian Kurdish opposition forces behaved very irresponsibly, placing the Kurdistan Region in a very difficult situation.” — Nechirvan Barzani
• Focus Area: The Kurdistan Region’s policy of neutrality amid regional conflict and its position on Kurdish rights and political developments across the region.

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Speaking during a special panel at the Middle East Research Institute’s annual forum, Barzani said the Kurdistan Region had maintained contact with PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani from the beginning of the conflict.

He said the Kurdistan Region had closed its borders and deployed security forces to border areas to prevent Iranian Kurdish opposition groups from crossing into Iran.

Barzani argued that the region must remain outside the conflict, noting that Iran shares nearly 600 kilometers of border with the Kurdistan Region. He said allowing the territory to be used to launch attacks would violate international norms and the Iraqi Constitution.

He also said the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) had worked together to protect the Kurdistan Region’s political entity during the crisis.

Kurdish Rights and Regional Changes

Barzani described current regional developments as the beginning of a new era, saying the Kurdish issue could not be resolved through denial or marginalization. He stressed that the rights of Kurds and other components must be guaranteed in the constitution.

On Syria, he said he did not view Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s vision as hostile to the Kurds. Referring to Rojava, or northeastern Syria, Barzani said he believed little more could have been achieved under the circumstances than what had already been accomplished.

He also expressed hope that an opportunity would emerge to address the Kurdish issue in Iran, saying Tehran was giving serious consideration to the matter.

Turkey’s Peace Process

Barzani described the peace process involving Turkey and the Kurds as serious, despite its slow progress. He said two years without fighting or deaths linked to the process was itself an achievement.

He argued that a successful outcome would benefit both the Kurds and Turkey, adding that whoever brought the process to a successful conclusion would deserve a Nobel Prize.

Iraq’s Economic and Political Challenges

Barzani warned that Iraq faced significant economic risks amid regional changes. He identified the country’s ability to function as a sovereign state as its greatest challenge in the current period.

His remarks came during the first day of the two-day MERI Forum 2026, which brings together political leaders, diplomats, and regional experts to discuss security, governance, and developments across the Middle East.

FYI

The MERI Forum is an annual conference organized by the Middle East Research Institute in Erbil. Its 2026 program, held on October 12 and 13, focuses on regional power shifts, Iraq’s political and economic challenges, security cooperation, and prospects for peace across the Middle East.

The Kurdistan Region shares a border with Iran and has repeatedly emphasized that its territory should not be used to threaten neighboring countries. Its leadership has also stressed coordination between the KDP and PUK on security matters during periods of regional tension.

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