US special envoy meets Kurdish PM Barzani in Erbil, backs new Iraqi government

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — U.S. Special Envoy for Iraq and Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barack met with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday in Erbil, the regional government said. Also present were U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Baghdad Joshua Harris and U.S.-led international coalition commander for Iraq and Syria General Kevin Lambert. The meeting covered the situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the wider region, according to the KRG statement. Prime Minister Barzani thanked the United States for its continued support, while Barack said President Donald Trump holds particular respect for the Kurdish people, the regional administration and its leadership, and praised reconstruction and development in the Kurdistan Region. The two sides agreed to strengthen commercial ties between Washington, Baghdad and Erbil, particularly by expanding the activities of American energy companies. They also discussed backing the new federal government led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and addressing unresolved constitutional issues between Baghdad and Erbil. Both sides stressed the need to reactivate the Kurdistan Parliament, end the political deadlock and form a new regional cabinet as soon as possible. No further details on timing or follow-up meetings were immediately announced.