President Barzani Receives U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, President Masoud Barzani received Ambassador Steve Fagin, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, in Pirmam.
The meeting, attended by U.S. Consul General in Erbil Gwendolyn “Wendy” Green, focused on the situation in Iraq. Ambassador Fagin thanked President Barzani for his continued support for Iraq’s political process.
President Barzani said the Kurdistan Region has based its relations with Iraq on the constitution and the principles of partnership, balance, and consensus. Had previous Iraqi governments upheld those principles, he said, Iraq and all its communities would have achieved far more.
President Barzani also expressed support for Iraq’s current prime minister within the framework of the constitution and the protection of the constitutional rights of the people of Kurdistan. He reaffirmed his support for Kurdistan’s components, particularly the Christian brothers and sisters, on the basis of respect, constitutional rights, and partnership. He stressed that components should decide their own future and underscored the importance of amending the election law so that Christians can express their own will rather than have others decide on their behalf.
The two sides also discussed developments in the region. President Barzani said his position had been clear from the outset: “We have not been part of the tensions, and we will not become part of the conflicts and disputes.” He called on all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy.
The U.S. delegation reaffirmed its commitment to the security and stability of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. It stated that the end of the Coalition’s mission does not mean the end of the U.S. commitment to either. The delegation recalled that Coalition forces had been present at the Iraqi government’s request and had defeated ISIS in cooperation with the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces. It emphasized that, through bilateral relations, the United States remains committed to stability and partnership with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq across the security, economic, political, and military spheres.
