High-Level Iraqi Security Delegation, Including Kurdistan Region Minister, Arrives in Tehran

PEREGRAF- A high-level Iraqi security delegation led by National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji arrived in Tehran on Monday, the advisor’s office confirmed. The statement offered no further details on the agenda of the visit.

Photos released by al-Araji’s office showed Kurdistan Region Regional Government (KRG)’s Interior Minister Reber Ahmed among the delegation members, underscoring the involvement of the KRG in the discussions.

The visit comes amid ongoing security cooperation between Baghdad and Tehran, particularly regarding the status of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups operating in northern Iraq.

In August 2025, Iraq and Iran signed a new memorandum of understanding reinforcing the 2023 Joint Security Agreement on Border Security. That agreement, signed on March 19, 2023, committed Baghdad to disarm and relocate groups such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), Komala, the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), and the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), which Tehran accuses of staging cross-border attacks and fomenting unrest inside Iran.

The 2025 memorandum—approved by Iraq’s Council of Ministers and signed during the visit of Ali Larijani, Iran’s newly appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council—was described by Iraqi officials as a continuation of the 2023 pact rather than a new arrangement. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani oversaw the signing, which also addressed border management, counterterrorism cooperation, and bilateral relations.

Al-Sudani reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to implementing the agreement and voiced support for closer Iraq-Iran ties, while urging dialogue between Tehran and Washington to avoid further regional escalation.

Iran has repeatedly warned of military action if Baghdad fails to curtail the activities of Iranian Kurdish armed factions. Iraqi officials maintain that most of the measures outlined in the agreement have already been implemented, with the Kurdistan Region’s Interior Ministry playing a central role in relocating the groups to designated camps away from the border.

Beyond security, Larijani said Tehran seeks to expand cooperation in trade and infrastructure, including a proposed passenger railway connecting Iran to Iraq’s planned Development Road project. His regional tour also includes Lebanon and comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The Iraqi National Security Advisory has urged media outlets to rely on official sources when reporting on sensitive issues surrounding Iraq-Iran security cooperation.