People in Kurdistan in northern Iraq began voting in the referendum today, which has been organised by Kurdish authorities, ignoring pressure from Baghdad, threats from neighouring Turkey and Iran, and international warnings it may ignite yet more regional conflict.
A total of 12,072 polling stations for the more than 5.3 million registered voters are to stay open for 12 hours in order for people to cast their vote.
A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said: "At the request of the Iraqi government, we have closed our land and air borders."
The referendum is "illegal and illegitimate," he added.
Iran had already announced yesterday that it was stopping all flights to and from Iraqi Kurdistan in response to the vote.
President Hassan Rouhani spoke overnight with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, saying: "The Islamic republic of Iran fully supports the central government of Iraq."
[rte.ie]
25/9/17
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