Nechirvan Barzani and Thomas Barrack Discuss Strengthening Partnership and Promoting Regional Stability

ARK News.. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani held talks with Thomas Barrack, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Iraq and Syria, on relations between the United States, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region.

During their meeting on Tuesday afternoon, June 16, 2026, the two sides agreed on the importance of transforming U.S.-Iraq relations into a balanced, long-term economic partnership that serves the strategic interests of both parties.

In this context, the U.S. special envoy reaffirmed Washington’s strong support for Iraq’s new government. Both sides also stressed the importance of ensuring that arms remain exclusively under the authority of the state.

For his part, Nechirvan Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s support for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and his government's efforts to address Iraq’s challenges, particularly the outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government in accordance with the Constitution.

The meeting also focused on the latest developments in the region, the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, and relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

The two sides welcomed the agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war and expressed hope that the deal would contribute to achieving lasting peace and security across the region.

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