Khamenei says Iran, Turkey must take measures against Kurdish secession

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday after meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran that the two countries should prevent Iraq’s Kurdistan region from declaring independence, state TV reported.

“Turkey and Iran must take necessary measures against the vote,” Khamenei was quoted as saying.

He also said the United States and foreign powers planned to create a new Israel in the Middle East by supporting the vote in Kurdistan, according to state TV.

“America and Israel benefit from the vote ... They want to create a new Israel in the region ... The Iraqi Kurdish secession vote is an act of betrayal toward the entire region,” Khamenei said.