President Masoud Barzani, US envoy stress need for Iraqi independence in decision-making

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani and US Charge d’Affaires to Iraq Joshua Harris on Wednesday underscored the need for Iraq to exercise sovereignty over its decisions and pursue balanced relations with its neighbor, amid heightened US engagement in Iraq’s political process and growing regional tensions.

According to a statement from Barzani Headquarters, Harris said the United States “seeks a strategic partnership with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” emphasizing that Iraq “must be the master of its own decisions, with its interests taking precedence over others’ interests,” as a basis for expanding bilateral relations.

President Masoud Barzani echoed the position, stressing that “Iraq must be the master of its own decisions and have balanced relations with its neighbors.”

The meeting comes as Washington has increased pressure on Iraqi political actors, with US President Donald Trump recently warning against the return of former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki for a third term. Trump said on Friday that the United States was “looking at” a candidate for Iraq’s next premier, without offering a clear endorsement or rejection.

In January, the Coordination Framework announced Maliki as its candidate for the premiership. Trump, later that month, cited what he described as “poverty and total chaos” during Maliki’s previous tenure, warning that Washington would reconsider its support for Iraq if he returns to office.

According to the statement, Harris also reaffirmed that the US supports the Kurdistan Region within the framework of Iraq and said Washington views Barzani’s role in Iraq’s political process with “respect,” dating back to 2003 and extending into the future.

President Barzani emphasized that “they have always sought for law and the constitution to be supreme in Iraq, and for partnership, balance, and consensus to be the fundamental basis of relations between the Region and Baghdad.”

He emphasized the need for these principles to guide the formation of Iraq’s next government, alongside full implementation of the constitution and an end to what he described as improper treatment of the Kurdistan Region, particularly on budget-related issues.

The meeting took place as US and Iran are holding discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program. Washington has warned of possible military action if Iran continues advancing its program and supporting armed groups across the region, including in Iraq.

Washington has long accused Iran of undermining Iraqi sovereignty through political and military proxies, including by embedding loyalists within state institutions and using Iraq’s financial system to evade international sanctions. US officials have also described the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) as a parallel military structure influencing Iraq’s security policy.