Many Iranian Kurds appear to support the upcoming Sept. 25 independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, which is planned to go ahead despite fierce opposition both at home and from the international community.

On numerous occasions in recent weeks, the Kurdish leadership in Erbil has reiterated its commitment to holding the referendum. Other Kurdish officials, however, doubt that the referendum will be held. Bahroz Galali, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan representative in Turkey who was recently expelled by Ankara over the abduction of a number of Turkish secret agents by the Kurdistan Workers Party in Sulaimaniyah province, told reporters at the airport, “I am confident that the referendum will not go ahead on Sept. 25.”

While Iraqi Kurds suffer from historical disunity and a lack of coordination on the referendum, many Kurds across the eastern border, in Iran, say they would like to see Iraqi Kurdistan become independent. The Kurds residing in Iran who were interviewed by Al-Monitor only spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of repercussions from the authorities in Tehran. It should be noted that Iran has fiercely opposed the referendum, charging Iraqi Kurds with creating instability in the region with the vote — and threatening dire consequences for the region.

"Yes, I am in favor of Kurdistan going independent, and I think they have the right to decide their future," a 20-year-old computer programming student in Iran told Al-Monitor via Facebook. "Enough of oppression. I have also spoken with many other students who say the Kurds deserve their own state.”