Iran’s ambassador to Iraq announced on Tuesday that Iraqi authorities had agreed to expel or hand over members of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups taking refuge in Iraq. These groups, based primarily in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, have long been opposed by Tehran, which accuses them of acting as terrorist organizations aligned with foreign interests.

The announcement marks a significant shift from recent statements by senior Iraqi security officials, who had previously indicated Baghdad’s reluctance to forcibly remove Kurdish exiles due to concerns over their safety. Despite these assurances to the contrary, the Iranian envoy’s remarks suggest a change in Baghdad’s position on the matter.

The Kurdistan region, an oil-rich area in northern Iraq with a degree of autonomy from the central government, has served as a haven for various Iranian Kurdish opposition groups for years. These groups have maintained bases and camps within the region, providing them with strategic positions close to the Iran-Iraq border.

Tehran views these Kurdish factions as a threat, accusing them of collaborating with the United States and Israel. The Iranian government has consistently pressured Iraq to limit the activities of these opposition groups and to prevent them from using Iraqi territory to stage operations against Iran.

While the specifics of the arrangement remain unclear, the ambassador’s statement indicates that Baghdad has acceded to Iranian demands to curb Kurdish opposition activity by agreeing to the expulsion or handover of these exiles. The development may affect the delicate relations between Baghdad, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Tehran, as well as the broader regional dynamics involving Kurdish groups and their role in cross-border security issues.