Ex-envoy: Separation of Kurdistan from Iraq risky

'The Islamic Republic of Iran does not consider such a move to be wise regarding internal situation in Iraq and explicitly opposes the country's disintegration,' said Shariati in an interview with IRNA on Monday.

He commented on referendum in Kurdistan region of Iraq and said, 'It is not yet clear which region is is exactly included and entitled to extensive autonomy in Iraqi constitution, ask its people'sw opinion in referendum; whether the question will refer to full independence.'

Stances of Iran, Syria, Turkey and the neighboring countries on the issue is clear; Europe and the US also have shown relatively definite stances and Russia also has not had any explicit stance.

'It seems that we will face a crisis in the region, especially regarding the fact that officials of the Iraqi Kurdistan region do not accept different proposals, the last proposal being talks with central government of Iraq and this has not yet been accepted by the regional government as yet.'

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