On Friday, May 23, 2025, on the final day of his official visit to Washington, D.C., Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The meeting went very well,” Prime Minister Barzani told Kurdistan Chronicle after the meeting. He then thanked Secretary Rubio for his hospitality in a post on X, stating, “Thank you Secretary Rubio, for your warm hospitality today and your longstanding support and partnership for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. I look forward to continuing our dialogue,”

In a traditional gesture, Prime Minister Barzani left a note in a special book at the U.S. Department of State, where only distinguished visitors can leave messages. He wrote, “It is my pleasure to be back in Washington, D.C., and to meet with His Excellency, Secretary Rubio. We are grateful for all the support that the United States has given us. Now, we believe we can build together.”

In a post on X, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for a strong and resilient Kurdistan Region, which is critical to the stability of Iraq and the broader region.

Met with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and reaffirmed U.S. support for a strong and resilient Iraqi Kurdistan Region that is critical to the stability of Iraq and the broader region. pic.twitter.com/5wsXXvI1vk

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 23, 2025

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of State, “Secretary Rubio and Prime Minister Barzani discussed opportunities to further increase trade and investment between the United States and the Kurdistan Region. The Secretary commended the Prime Minister for finalizing deals with U.S. companies to expand natural gas production in the Kurdistan Region, which will help Iraq move toward energy independence.”

Furthermore, Secretary Rubio and Prime Minister Barzani discussed their mutual interest in protecting the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for a strong and resilient Kurdistan Region as a foundational pillar of the relationship that the United States enjoys with Iraq.