Republican U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson on Tuesday underlined that the United States will always support investments in Kurdistan after meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who is on an official visit to the United States.
In a post on X, Congressman Wilson stated that it was an honor to meet Prime Minister Barzani. He added that he is furious that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and the Iraqi Ministry of Oil would oppose United States investments to develop Iraqi gas, which is essential to stop Iranian imports.
“U.S. investments in the Kurdistan Region will always be supported by the United States,” he said.
Honor to meet KRG Prime Minister @masrourbarzani. Furious that @IraqiGovt PM @mohamedshia and his @iqministryofoil would oppose US investments to develop Iraqi gas which is essential to stop Iranian imports. US investments in @Kurdistan will always be supported by the US. pic.twitter.com/wKJIFPaUFA
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) May 20, 2025
Apart from meeting with Congressman Wilson, Prime Minister Barzani also met with U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart. According to a KRG readout, they discussed the general situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the importance of further strengthening relations between the region and the United States.
Read More: KRG Signs Major Energy Deals with U.S. Companies
Prime Minister Barzani on Monday oversaw the signing of two major energy deals between the KRG and U.S. companies that represent a combined estimated value of tens of billions of dollars.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Iraqi Federal Ministry of Oil rejected the deal. In response, the KRG Ministry of Natural Resources defended the deal and emphasized the KRG’s constitutional rights and authorities as a federal entity under the Constitution of Iraq.
The KRG said the deals were also “based on existing contracts with new U.S. investment and new operating companies.”
A new phase of Kurdistan-USA ties begins as we sign two multi-billion dollar deals with HKN Energy and WesternZagros Resources.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) May 20, 2025
These deals will power millions, create jobs and strengthen the foundation of Kurdistan’s economy. pic.twitter.com/v1WYeXybiU
Read More: KRG Prime Minister Barzani Arrives in U.S. for Official Visit
The deals include U.S. energy company HKN Energy and Dubai-based ONEX Group through their newly formed joint venture, Miran Energy, and the U.S-owned company WesternZagros.
According to a KRG readout, Prime Minister Barzani also discussed the importance of further strengthening and expanding ties between the Kurdistan Region and the United States with Congressman Wilson.
Prime Minister Barzani also conveyed his appreciation for U.S. support to the Kurdistan Region.
Congressman Wilson has been a strong supporter of the Kurdistan Region in Washington, D.C.
Read More: U.S. Republicans Express Concerns Over Pressure on Kurdistan
In a letter dated April 15 last year, Representatives Wilson and Kevin Hern urged U.S. President Joe Biden to address concerns over budget cuts to the Kurdistan Region ahead of Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani’s visit to Washington.
Prime Minister Barzani also separately met with U.S. Senators Angus King and James Lankford and U.S. Congressman Abraham Hamadeh, in which they welcomed the signing of two major energy deals, emphasizing that these deals serve economic development in the Kurdistan Region, and across Iraq.
Moreover, he met with Congressman Adam Smith, in which they discussed the latest developments and challenges in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the wider region.
