Baghdad: Independent Kurdish politician Mahmoud Othman revealed the continued stalemate and disagreement between the two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), regarding the presidential candidate. He indicated that both parties remain committed to their respective candidates without reaching any agreement so far.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Othman stated that the outstanding issues between the two Kurdish parties are not limited to differing viewpoints on the presidential candidate, but extend to deeper disagreements regarding the distribution of positions in the upcoming Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as each party’s share of ministerial posts in the anticipated federal government.

Othman added that the current situation differs from previous rounds, as there is no serious mediation or real external pressure to bridge the gap between the two sides. Unlike before, there is currently no intervention from either Iran or the United States. It can be said that each of these countries has its own pressing internal and external problems that preoccupy them and prevent them from interfering in Iraqi affairs in general at this stage.

In a related context concerning the impact of regional conflicts on Iraq, Othman warned of the repercussions of any potential escalation between Iran and the United States, emphasizing that Iraq will be the first and most directly affected should a confrontation erupt between the two sides.

He explained that if this happens, especially if armed factions intervene by shelling American interests or sites inside Iraq, this will expose the country to the risk of these factions targeting it, making Iraq an arena for settling scores.