U.S. Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Monday that the new U.S. consulate that will open next month in Erbil “will strengthen our partnership and diplomatic cooperation with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).”

“This opening of the new and largest U.S. consulate in Erbil … later this year … reflects the United States’ commitment to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

“The new consulate will strengthen our partnership and diplomatic cooperation with the KRG and the Government of Iraq on shared priorities and challenges, including countering extremism and fostering long-term peace.

The Pentagon’s quarterly inspector general report to the U.S. Congress on February 19 reported that the U.S. State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations conducted fire, electrical, security, and building automation system compliance inspections in December and January, preparing the project for final accreditation in May 2025.

It also reported that the new consulate compound was 97.8% complete, and that the consulate plans to take occupancy in July 2025.

Furthermore, Bruce encouraged the Kurdish political parties in the Kurdistan Region to swiftly form a new government. “A strong and resilient democracy, as we speak about often in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, is necessary to preserve the stability and security of Iraq. So we encourage them to form that government and to do so quickly.”