On Wednesday, President Masoud Barzani received Joshua Harris, Charge d’Affaires (CDA) of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, and underlined that Iraq should have balanced relations with its neighbors and called for the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law in Iraq.

According to the readout of the Barzani headquarters, President Barzani reiterated his longstanding call for the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law in Iraq, and for partnership, balance, and consensus to remain the foundations of relations between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.

He also emphasized the need to uphold these principles in the next Iraqi government, implement the constitution, and end what he described as unjust treatment of the people of Kurdistan regarding the federal budget and other issues.

According to a post on X from the U.S. Consulate General, during the meeting CDA Harris “reaffirmed the [United States’] commitment to supporting a fully sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq, as well as a robust and enduring U.S. partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, to deliver concrete benefits for Americans and Iraqis.

“Regarding Iraq’s ongoing government formation deliberations, CDA Harris reiterated U.S. readiness to use the full range of tools to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in Iraq as Iraqi leaders work to advance a political framework that is fully independent and able to put Iraq’s own interests first.”

During a separate meeting between Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and CDA Harris, they also discussed formation of the new Iraqi federal government and the KRG cabinet.

According to the KRG readout, both officials “agreed on the importance of forming a strong government in Iraq based on respect for the constitution, the federal system, and the institutions and constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region — a government that serves all Iraqi citizens without discrimination.”

They also stressed the importance of forming a strong and inclusive cabinet for the KRG.

In a separate meeting with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, CDA Harris underscored the significance of strengthening U.S. ties with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. 

Furthermore, they discussed the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, the necessity of unity among Kurdish parties in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and the overall situation in the region.

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

Additionally, a new KRG cabinet still has not been formed following elections held on October 20, 2024, despite continued talks between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and calls by the United States to form a new government.