On Monday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received the newly appointed Ambassador Steve Fagin, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, in which they both condemned the attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region.

Since February 28, the Kurdistan Region has faced around 1,000 drone and missile attacks launched by Iran and Iranian-backed groups.

According to the KRG readout, today’s meeting focused on strengthening the longstanding friendship, strategic partnership, and close relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States, as well as the latest political, security, and economic developments in Iraq and the wider region.

Furthermore, the two officials also underscored the importance of increasing oil production in the Kurdistan Region and strengthening cooperation and coordination between the KRG and the federal government of Iraq. Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaid ordered an increase in oil production in the Kurdistan Region.

Both officials stressed that such cooperation is essential to improving Iraq’s financial position, increasing national revenues, and promoting trade and economic development, while ensuring respect for the constitutional rights and financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region.

They further emphasized the importance of reactivating the Kurdistan Region Parliament and the formation of the new KRG cabinet, which still has not been formed despite elections being held in October 2024.