In a meeting with President Masoud Barzani on Sunday, U.S. Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Mission to Iraq Joshua Harris and U.S. Consul General to Erbil Wendy Green underlined the “robust and enduring partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.”

“This partnership is embedded within the broader U.S.-Iraq relationship, one that yields concrete benefits for Americans and Iraqis alike,” U.S. Consul General Green posted on X.

Charge d’Affaires Harris “emphasized that any Iraqi government must remain fully independent and focused on advancing the national interests of all Iraqis. Only through such independence can Iraq effectively safeguard its sovereignty, remain insulated from regional tensions, and fully realize the potential of a mutually advantageous partnership with the United States.”

The officials exchanged views on the political landscape in Iraq, expressed appreciation for the constructive discussions underway in Baghdad, and welcomed ongoing efforts to shape an inclusive political framework for all Iraqis, thereby reinforcing stability and enabling an effective U.S.-Iraq partnership.

According to a readout from the Barzani headquarters, the U.S. delegation also expressed appreciation to President Barzani for his support of the recent agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Regarding the political process in Iraq, he reiterated U.S. support for a strong and stable Kurdistan Region within the federal framework of Iraq.

President Barzani welcomed the delegation and thanked the United States for its continued support for the Kurdish people. He noted that without U.S. support in 1991, it would not have been possible to safeguard the achievements of the uprising, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Parliament.

Furthermore, the officials underlined the importance of the adherence to the Iraqi Constitution and agreed that Iraq’s future should be determined by Iraqis themselves, based on partnership, balance, and compromise.

This comes amid continued disagreements in Iraq over the selection of the future Iraqi Prime Minister and President.The Iraqi parliamentary elections took place on November 11, 2025, during which Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law coalition won 29 seats.

Last week, the Shi’a-majority Coordination Framework announced it had picked al-Maliki as its candidate for the position of prime minister after months of deliberation. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed disagreement with this appointment.

In this context, both sides welcomed the recent talks and consultations in Baghdad aimed at introducing political measures and scenarios that take into account the interests of the Iraqi people and further strengthen the U.S.-Iraq partnership in all its dimensions.