On Tuesday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received a U.S. delegation led by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Victoria Taylor.
According to the KRG readout, during the meeting both officials discussed the development of bilateral relations, the general situation in Iraq and the region, as well as efforts to form the new cabinet of the KRG.
Prime Minister @masrourbarzani received a US delegation led by Victoria Taylor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran and Iraq.https://t.co/4YKq8RWipL
— Kurdistan Regional Government (@Kurdistan) April 15, 2025
Both parties stressed the importance of forming the new cabinet as soon as possible, ideally before this year’s Iraqi parliamentary elections.
Kurdistan parliamentary elections took place in October, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party leading with 39 seats, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan obtaining 23 seats. However, the two ruling parties have not yet been able to form a new government.
The KRG and the United States also stressed the need to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan Region via the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline without further delay, citing the significant damage the halt has had on Iraq’s federal revenues and budget.
On March 25, 2023, Kurdish crude oil exports through Turkiye were stopped after an international arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, halting 450,000 barrels per day of crude oil exports.
The KRG readout also added that, in another part of the discussions, emphasis was placed on the importance of securing the financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region and respecting its federal and constitutional status.
Read More: Erbil-Baghdad Financial Disputes Only Scratch the Surface
There have been several disagreements between Erbil and Baghdad over the budget share and the distribution of monthly salaries of public servants in the Kurdistan Region, and the non-implementation of constitutional articles such as Article 140.
Later today, the delegation headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Taylor also met with President Masoud Barzani.
President Barzani Receives U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
— KDP ForeignRelations (@kdpfro) April 15, 2025
President Masoud Barzani received U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Taylor and her accompanying delegation in Salahaddin on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the Deputy Assistant Secretary… pic.twitter.com/LQrhd6xbVK
According to the Barzani Headquarters readout, the Deputy Assistant Secretary underscored the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the United States and the Kurdistan Region, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation to promote stability and development in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region.
The meeting also covered the ongoing talks between the KDP and the PUK, including efforts to advance the formation of the new cabinet.
