"The Islamic Republic of Iran is undertaking decisive steps to protect sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as fight terrorism. These steps will have a temporary side effect, and some borders will be closed… but these problems will be resolved soon," Iran's vice-president and government spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht said Tuesday, as quoted by Fars news agency, adding that "in this case, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq are concerned".
The spokesman added that while assessing the independence vote it is necessary to remember that large-scale counterterrorism efforts are underway in the disputed region. Nobakht stressed that Tehran could not support any measures that disrupted solidarity and unity in the region when large groups of terrorists are still active there.
Iraqi authorities said that the referendum was not legitimate and stressed that they would not conduct talks with the authorities of Iraqi Kurdistan on the issue of the vote.
Russia supports Iraq's territorial integrity and calls for both Baghdad and Erbil to resolve all their disagreements by peaceful means.
