U.S. Secretary Rubio Reaffirms Strong Support for Kurdistan Region in Call with President Nechirvan Barzani
The U.S. State Department, via spokesperson Tammy Bruce, stated that the call emphasized long-term Erbil-Washington cooperation and promoting peace in Iraq, Syria, and the wider Middle East.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a new affirmation of Washington’s enduring partnership with the Kurdistan Region, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, underscoring continued American support for the Region’s stability, economic development, and constitutional rights within a federal Iraq.
The U.S. Department of State, through spokesperson Tammy Bruce, released a statement on Thursday highlighting the content of the call, which focused on fostering long-term cooperation between Erbil and Washington and preserving peace across Iraq, Syria, and the broader Middle East.
“Secretary Rubio and President Barzani discussed the importance of continued cooperation to promote stability and prosperity in Iraq, Syria, and the broader region,” Bruce noted in the statement.
“The Secretary commended the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for its partnership with U.S. companies and its efforts to harness domestic resources for Iraq’s energy independence,” she added, emphasizing that U.S. support for the IKR remains a cornerstone of America’s broader policy in Iraq.
Strategic Ties Bolstered After High-Level Washington Visit
The call follows a high-profile diplomatic visit by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to Washington, where he led a senior delegation to meet with members of the U.S. Congress, the Trump Administration, and Secretary Rubio. During those meetings, both sides reaffirmed the mutual benefits of deepening economic and strategic ties.
Rubio, in a social media post following the call, described it as “productive,” stating that collaboration between the U.S. and the Kurdistan Region “contributes to stability within Iraq and the broader region” and that bilateral economic ties “benefit both the American and Iraqi peoples.”
U.S. Commitment to Kurdistan’s Constitutional Autonomy
In a cabinet session held on May 28 in Erbil, chaired by Prime Minister Barzani, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) formally welcomed recent statements from U.S. officials, including Secretary Rubio, reaffirming their support for the Region’s constitutional status.
PM Barzani briefed the ministers on the outcomes of his Washington trip, including discussions on safeguarding the KRG’s financial entitlements, bolstering American investment, and reinforcing Kurdistan’s recognized autonomy. He emphasized that a strong, constitutionally grounded Kurdistan Region is vital to Iraq’s federal structure and long-term unity.
The KRG Council of Ministers expressed appreciation for Washington’s unwavering stance and stressed the importance of implementing the Region’s constitutional authorities in full.
Focus on Economic Cooperation and Oil Export Resumption
The cabinet also reiterated its commitment to dialogue with Baghdad to resolve lingering issues, particularly concerning oil exports. Ministers called for the resumption of exports via Iraq’s state oil marketing company (SOMO), noting that halted exports since March 2023 have cost the country billions in lost revenue.
Secretary Rubio’s engagement, coupled with Prime Minister Barzani’s diplomatic mission to Washington, marks a renewed chapter in U.S.-Kurdistan relations—anchored in constitutional recognition, economic cooperation, and shared regional stability.
