During a meeting between President Masoud Barzani and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, Ambassador Barrack praised President Barzani’s role in helping prevent the spread of war and violence.

According to the readout of President Barzani’s office, the senior U.S. diplomat also highlighted ongoing efforts to better understand recent developments in Syria and to support an agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that both sides reached on January 29. The Kurdistan Region played a major role in bringing U.S. diplomats and the SDF leaders together in meetings in Erbil.

Read More: President Barzani Urges Damascus, SDF to Adhere to Agreement

Reportedly, Ambassador Barrack added that Iraq could benefit from President Barzani’s wisdom and guidance in addressing its challenges. He reaffirmed that the United States wants a sovereign and independent Iraq and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations and partnership with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Barzani expressed hope that regional issues would be resolved peacefully and that the region would remain free from war and violence, amid increasing tensions between the United States and Iran.

He also stressed that the people of Kurdistan have consistently sought peace and coexistence and have aimed to resolve issues through non-violent means.

On Tuesday, Ambassador Barrack posted on X that he received “wonderful wisdom from a legendary leader.”

Read More: Iraq Needs Balanced Relation with Neighbors: President Barzani

President Barzani underscored that it is in the Iraqi people’s interest that the constitution be implemented, that Iraq remain sovereign and self-determining, and that relations with neighboring states be based on shared interests while also respecting the U.S.–Iraq partnership.

He emphasized that the next Iraqi government must be committed to the constitution and federalism and called for legislation to address key outstanding issues, including the Oil and Gas Law, Article 140, and other laws necessary to implement federalism within the Iraqi state.

Regarding the Iraqi presidency, President Barzani said that, as the position belongs to the people of Kurdistan, a clear and appropriate mechanism is needed to select a candidate who reflects the will of the people of Kurdistan. 

As for the post of prime minister, he noted that the Coordination Framework will determine the nominee, stressing that what matters most is that the prime minister be committed to the constitution and to the principles of partnership, balance, and reconciliation.

In a separate meeting, Ambassador Barrack also met with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, where they discussed the latest developments in Syria, and the political process in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, according to the Presidency’s readout.

“I reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to peace and stability, and we stressed the importance of continued dialogue as the path forward,” President Nechirvan Barzani posted on X.

Ambassador Barrack later posted on X that he had “a thoughtful conversation of counsel, perspective and experience” with President Nechirvan Barzani.

Iraq last held parliamentary elections on November 11, 2025. However, a new Iraqi government has not yet been formed, as parliament has not elected a president and the Shi’a majority parties united in the Coordination Framework have yet to definitively select the next Iraqi prime minister.

On January 24, the Coordination Framework nominated former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for prime minister, but on January 27, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly opposed his candidacy. 

So far, the Coordination Framework has not selected a new candidate, and says that al-Maliki remains the only candidate.

On February 22, Ambassador Barrack met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and underlined the “necessity of effective leadership that aligns itself with the policies and practices of further stabilization for Iraq.”