Masoud Barzani on Wednesday received Joshua Harris, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, in Pirmam, where the two sides discussed political developments in Iraq, relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and broader regional issues.

During the meeting, Harris reaffirmed Washington’s support for the Kurdistan Region within the federal framework of Iraq. He praised Barzani’s role in the Iraqi political process since 2003 and expressed U.S. appreciation for his continued influence on the country’s political future. Harris also emphasized the United States’ interest in strengthening a strategic partnership with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, underscoring the importance of Iraq maintaining independent decision-making and prioritizing national interests.

Barzani stressed the need to uphold the constitution and the rule of law across Iraq, calling for relations between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government in Baghdad to be based on partnership, balance, and consensus. He highlighted the importance of applying these principles in the formation of the next Iraqi government, alongside full implementation of the constitution and an end to what he described as unfair treatment of the Kurdistan Region, particularly in relation to the federal budget and other outstanding issues.

The Kurdish leader also emphasized the necessity for Iraq to pursue an independent foreign policy and to build balanced relations with neighboring countries.

According to a statement from the meeting, discussions also covered the situation in Syria and the ongoing political process in the Kurdistan Region.