SLEMANI — Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the latest security, political and economic developments in the region during a phone call, stressing the need for dialogue and efforts to preserve regional stability.
According to a statement released by Talabani’s office on Tuesday, the two sides exchanged views on ways to reduce ongoing tensions and address the region’s security challenges.
Talabani emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and diplomatic engagement, describing them as the most effective means of de-escalating tensions, restoring peace and stability, and protecting the interests of the peoples of the region.
The PUK president also praised Araghchi’s diplomatic efforts to promote peaceful solutions to regional conflicts and contribute to broader stability.
The two officials also discussed the longstanding relationship between the PUK and Iran and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and coordination based on mutual interests, good-neighborly relations and regional stability, according to the statement.
Araghchi invited Talabani to visit Tehran for further discussions on the strategic, security and economic implications of ongoing conflicts at the regional and international levels.
The phone call comes amid heightened regional tensions and a series of drone and missile attacks affecting the Kurdistan Region during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel.
One of the most serious recent incidents occurred on July 17, when a missile struck the Zrgwez area near Slemani, killing 10 members of Iranian Kurdish opposition forces, according to Kurdish authorities.
Talabani strongly condemned the attack the following day, saying that targeting the Kurdistan Region was “completely unacceptable” and warning that the region’s restraint should not be interpreted as a lack of resolve.
In his July 18 statement, the PUK president explicitly blamed Iran for the attack, marking a particularly strong public condemnation of Tehran from a senior PUK leader.
The latest call between Talabani and Araghchi therefore comes against a backdrop of both longstanding PUK-Iran relations and heightened security tensions involving Iranian Kurdish opposition groups operating in the Kurdistan Region.
