Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, meets with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Iraq Joshua Harris in Pirmam on Feb. 1, 2026, during talks on Iraq’s political process and U.S.–Iraq relations.
Barzani hosts US envoy as Washington urges Iraqi government ‘independence’
ERBIL — The United States reiterated that any future Iraqi government must remain fully independent during talks Sunday between Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and senior U.S. diplomats, as political positions hardened in Baghdad over the nomination of the next prime minister.
“Harris […] reaffirmed the United States’ steadfast commitment to supporting a sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq, as well as a robust and enduring partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil said in a statement.
The statement said Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris stressed that “any Iraqi government must remain fully independent and focused on advancing the national interests of all Iraqis,” adding that “only through such independence can Iraq effectively safeguard its sovereignty, remain insulated from regional tensions, and fully realize the potential of a mutually advantageous partnership with the United States.”
According to a statement from the Barzani Headquarters, discussions focused on Iraq’s political process and government formation.
The statement said views were exchanged on “the political process in Iraq,” with both sides stressing “the importance of adherence to the constitution,” and agreeing that “Iraqis themselves must decide the future of their country based on partnership, balance and consensus.”
It added that both sides welcomed “the ongoing dialogue and consultations in Baghdad aimed at reaching political understandings that take into account the interests of Iraqis and contribute to forming a government based on constitutional mechanisms.”
The talks come as Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework reaffirmed its commitment to nominating former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki for the post of prime minister. In a statement issued after a meeting at al-Maliki’s office, the bloc said “the choice of the prime minister is a purely Iraqi constitutional matter,” made “away from external dictates,” and renewed its support for “its candidate, Mr. Nouri al-Maliki, for the post of prime minister.”
The remarks followed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he would not cooperate with Iraq if al-Maliki returned to office. The Coordination Framework responded by saying it seeks “balanced relations with the international community, particularly with influential international powers,” based on “mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.”
Al-Maliki served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014. Iraq has yet to elect a president following repeated postponements in parliament, a step required before designating a prime minister, as negotiations continue among political blocs.