President Barzani Meets US Chargé d’Affaires, Discusses Iraq Security and Regional Stability

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — President Masoud Barzani met with US Chargé d’Affaires to Iraq Steven Fagin on Monday in Pirmam, with the two sides discussing Iraq’s security and stability, economic development, regional tensions and efforts to strengthen the country’s sovereignty.

Ambassador Fagin expressed his satisfaction at returning to Iraq for a new diplomatic assignment and visiting the Kurdistan Region, saying he was determined to maintain the pace of cooperation and contribute further to US-Iraq relations.

The US envoy reaffirmed Washington’s support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in protecting security and stability and promoting economic development.

He also stressed the importance of coordination among Iraqi parties to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and strengthen its relations with regional states and the international community.

Fagin said any threat to Iraq’s security would constitute a threat to everyone, emphasizing that Iraq, together with the Kurdistan Region, could play an active role in addressing regional security challenges.

He also said the United States supports an Iraq without armed militias operating outside government authority, arguing that such a framework would provide greater space for political and economic stability.

Barzani, for his part, warmly welcomed Fagin on his return to Iraq and visit to the Kurdistan Region, describing his return as a positive development.

He reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region would continue to serve as a factor for stability and expressed support for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts on issues related to consolidating stability, upholding the Iraqi Constitution and combating terrorism.

Barzani also reaffirmed his support for continued efforts to fight corruption, stressing the importance of maintaining joint work on the issue.

The meeting also addressed the broader security situation in the Middle East, where regional tensions and armed conflicts have placed additional pressure on Iraq and neighboring countries.

Barzani stressed the importance of pursuing peaceful approaches to regional disputes, saying peace is always preferable to war, dialogue to confrontation, and understanding to conflict and chaos.

He emphasized that the Kurdistan Region has consistently sought to be part of solutions to regional crises rather than part of the conflicts themselves.

The meeting comes as Iraq continues to face complex security challenges stemming from regional conflicts, the activities of armed groups and disputes over the role of non-state forces. 

For the Kurdistan Region, security cooperation with the United States remains an important component of its broader efforts to confront terrorism and address regional security threats.

The Kurdistan Region has also repeatedly called for stronger coordination between Erbil, Baghdad and international partners to prevent Iraqi territory from being drawn into wider regional conflicts.

Monday’s meeting underscored the continuing importance of US-Kurdistan relations as Washington and Baghdad navigate Iraq’s security environment and seek to prevent regional tensions from further destabilizing the country.