REPORTS OF IRANIANS OPENING CONSULATES IN NORTHERN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005315 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SE, NEA, AND PM; OSD FOR NSC FOR BRYZA. JCS FOR J5 E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2013 TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS TU IZ PTER ASEC SUBJECT: REPORTS OF IRANIANS OPENING CONSULATES IN NORTHERN IRAQ (U) Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch. Reasons: 1.5 (B and D). (U) Baghdad minimize considered. ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 3. ¶2. (C) MFA Iraq Department Head Serra Erslan telephoned us August 20 to report that the MFA had received reports that the Iranians recently had opened consulates in two cities in northern Iraq -- Irbil and Suleymaniye. Erslan said that up until recently, the Iranians had trade offices and/or other non-diplomatic presence in Irbil and Suleymaniye. Now the Iranians were hanging signs outside of the buildings identifying them as consulates. Erslan requested the Embassy's assistance in confirming the accuracy of these reports. She noted that GOT remained interested in re-establishing a diplomatic presence in the north, but continued to operate under the belief that the US position remained the "timing is not right." ¶3. (C) Action request: Embassy requests the Department confirm whether Iran has opened consulates in Irbil and/or Suleymaniye, as well as clarification of the US position on opening diplomatic missions in northern Iraq. EDELMAN