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Iran keeping watchful eye on Iraqi Kurdistan, Israel

Tehran openly opposes Iraqi Kurdistan's upcoming independence referendum, but many observers feel Iran is actually taking measures to counter Israeli actions in the Kurdish region.
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, Mohammad Bagheri (R) salutes the honor guards as he is welcomed by Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces Hulusi Akar (L) during his official visit at the Turkish General Staff headquarters in Ankara, on August 15, 2017.   / AFP PHOTO / STR        (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
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DIYARBAKIR, Turkey — As Iran becomes more vocal about its opposition to the upcoming Kurdish independence referendum in Iraq, there's some speculation about Tehran's true concerns.

Iranian armed forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri’s recent visit to Turkey found its place in history as the first visit by a senior Iranian general to Turkey in 38 years. Although the subject was not on the official agenda, it wasn’t difficult to guess that the parties discussed the referendum the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has scheduled for Sept. 25.

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