Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) – Speaking at a special meeting to discuss the Iraqi Kurdistan referendum for independence held in Qom, Iranian member of parliament Hujjat al-Islam Zonnoori denounced the Kurdish independence plebiscite in northern Iraq, warning that Iran would not tolerate the establishment of “a second Israel” in the region after the occupying regime became the only entity to support the so-called plebiscite.

The Shia cleric asserted that the Middle East is a region rich in natural resources, religious and cultural diversity; therefore the imperialist powers have their eyes on this region.

"Fortunately, the enemies' plots and sectarian conspiracies have failed during the last four decades following the victory of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. So they are attempting to create a new plot to secede Iraqi Kurdistan region." Hujjat al-Islam Zonnoori added.

The representative of Qom province in Iranian parliament, further noted that this new plot to secede Iraqi Kurdistan is something that has been sought by the enemy since a very long time ago due to religious and ethnic disagreements, but in Iran the Kurds and other Iranian minorities have a very deep and peaceful relation which cannot be undermined by enemies' vicious plots."

 He then pointed out that Iraqi Kurdistan issue is considered important to Iran since it has influential effects on the regional and national interest of the Islamic Republic.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is closely watching the developments in Iraqi Kurdistan and will not tolerate the Iraqi Kurdistan secession and creation of a "second Israel" in the Middle East." he concluded.

End.