Minister Ano Jawhar Meets U.S. House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast
Since the start of his official visit to the U.S., few weeks ago, Jawhar, has been actively engaged in meetings with senior U.S. government official.
Feb. 6, 2025
Erbil (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Ano Jawhar, met with Congressman Brian Mast, the Chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, to discuss critical issues related to U.S.-Kurdistan relations and ongoing regional developments on Wednesday.
Congressman Mast, a Republican representative from Florida, is a decorated U.S. Army veteran. Before his election to Congress, Mast served for over 12 years, including as a bomb disposal expert. His service was marked by extraordinary bravery, but it came at a heavy cost, an improvised explosive device (IED) caused catastrophic injuries, resulting in the loss of both his legs.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee, of which Mast is the chair, plays a pivotal role in overseeing U.S. foreign policy, national security, military affairs, treaties, arms control, and international economic relations.
The meeting between Minister Jawhar and Congressman Mast highlights the continued diplomatic engagement between the Kurdistan Region and the United States, particularly in areas of strategic cooperation, security, and economic development.
Since the start of his official visit to the U.S., few weeks ago, Jawhar, has been actively engaged in meetings with senior U.S. government official.
He participated in key meetings with U.S. Congress members, including Thomas Massie and former Congressman Dave Brat, where he discussed regional issues and the challenges facing ethnic and religious communities in the Middle East.
He also met with leaders from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) to address constitutional breaches by Baghdad and the economic hardships in the Kurdistan Region.
Additionally, Minister Jawhar attended the International Religious Freedom Summit at the U.S. Capitol, where he highlighted the KRG's commitment to religious tolerance and the protection of minority rights, calling for international support for the Kurdistan Region's model of coexistence.