In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Barzani congratulated Pezeshkian on his victory in the presidential election of Iran.

The KRG president also wished the Iranian president-elect success in his duty and responsibility, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

“His Excellency emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s and its people’s readiness and intention to bolster long-standing friendly relations and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all fields, based on respect, mutual interest and a good neighborhood which could bring prosperity for both nations,” the statement added, Rudaw reported.

The Kurdish leader also said he was certain that Pezeshkian’s presidency will “deepen” bilateral relations and friendship between Erbil and Tehran.

For his part, Pezeshkian thanked Barzani for the phone call, stressing that Iran seeks improved relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The Iranian president-elect held separate telephone conversations with the presidents of Syria and Venezuela on Wednesday.

After the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19, Pezeshkian became one of six final candidates singled out by the Constitutional Council from 80 applicants seeking the presidency.

He won the highest number of votes in the first round of the presidential election on June 28 and faced off the runner-up, Saeed Jalili, in the runoff election on July 5.

The physician-turned-politician won the runoff by garnering 53.66% of the votes.

His new administration, the 14th one after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, will hold office for four years.