On Monday, President Masoud Barzani received Ambassador Steven Fagin, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, in Pirmam, in which the ambassador reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to building on existing cooperation with the Kurdistan Region and achieving further progress.

According to the official X account of the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, they both reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding friendship between the United States and the Kurdistan Region and discussed continued cooperation in support of a sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq.

The Barzani headquarters readout stated that U.S. Ambassador Fagin emphasized the importance of coordination among all parties to safeguard Iraq’s sovereignty and strengthen its relations with neighboring countries and the international community.

Noting that any threat to Iraq’s security poses a threat to all, Ambassador Fagin said that Iraq, together with the Kurdistan Region, can play an effective role in advancing regional stability. 

He further affirmed U.S. support for an Iraq free from armed militias operating outside state authority, thereby creating the conditions necessary for political and economic stability.

Earlier this year, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi set September 30 as the deadline for bringing the weapons of Iran-backed Iraqi factions under control of the Iraqi state.

President Barzani reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region will remain a force for stability and expressed support for the Iraqi Prime Minister’s al-Zaidi’s efforts to consolidate stability, uphold the Constitution, combat terrorism, and address corruption. 

He also underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts in these areas.

President Barzani stressed that peace is always preferable to war, dialogue to confrontation, and mutual understanding to conflict and chaos amid ongoing tensions in the region. 

He emphasized that the Kurdistan Region has consistently sought to be part of the solution and has never contributed to the crises affecting the region.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also received Ambassador Steven Fagin, during which Ambassador Fagin underscored the importance of stability and strengthening U.S. relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region across all areas.

Moreover, the discussion addressed support for the federal government of Iraq, the importance of ensuring that arms remain under state control, the internal situation, and the promotion of unity and mutual understanding in the Kurdistan Region, as well as the latest regional developments.