President Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani held separate meetings with Joshua Harris, Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, accompanied by U.S. Consul General in Erbil Wendy Green, underlining the strong U.S.-Kurdistan partnership.

According to the KRG readout, U.S. Charge d’Affaires Harris highlighted the strategic role of the Kurdistan Region as a key partner of the United States and reaffirmed Washington’s support and commitment to strengthening ties across various sectors.

Furthermore, the officials agreed on the need to resume oil exports as soon as possible amid new agreements between Baghdad, Erbil, and international oil companies, and emphasized the importance of the federal government providing the Kurdistan Region with its public sector salaries and financial entitlements.

Iin a post on X, the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil said that both sides discussed opportunities to advance the strong U.S.-Iraq partnership and to deepen cooperation with the KRG to promote shared interests, which include safeguarding Iraq’s sovereignty, promoting security, and strengthening commercial partnerships to deliver benefits for Americans and Iraqis.

Later, Charge d’Affaires Harris met with President Masoud Barzani and conveyed the United States’ message of friendship to the Kurdistan Region, affirming Washington’s support for a strong Kurdistan as a pillar of Iraq’s stability, according to a readout from the Barzani headquarters. 

He underscored U.S. support for the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights and for ongoing negotiations between the federal government of Iraq and the KRG, stressing that the non-payment of salaries to public employees in the region cannot continue and must be resolved. 

He also highlighted the Kurdistan Region’s successful track record – particularly in energy and electricity – as a model for other parts of Iraq. 

The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil underlined that Charge d’Affaires Harris appreciated reconnecting with President Masoud Barzani to discuss a strong and mutually beneficial U.S.-Iraq partnership and shared support for Iraq’s sovereignty, stability, and prosperity.