Kurdistan Region PM’s Media Office Clarifies Masrour Barzani’s Statements to Financial Times

ARK News.. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani gave an interview to the British newspaper Financial Times in which he discussed several important issues, foremost among them the implications of the withdrawal of U.S. forces and the international coalition from Iraq and the risks of leaving the Kurdistan Region without adequate defensive protection.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office said, with regret, that the published report did not accurately or objectively convey his statements as they were made, arguing that the reporter had incorporated personal interpretations and conclusions that overshadowed the substance of his remarks.

For the sake of transparency and to avoid any misunderstanding, the Media Office published the key points of Prime Minister Barzani’s statements to the newspaper:

The withdrawal of U.S. forces and international coalition forces from Iraq comes at a highly sensitive time.

The Kurdistan Region has been subjected to more than 1,000 missile and drone attacks.

Leaving the Kurdistan Region exposed without providing defensive systems to protect it is a matter of concern.

Continued security instability in Iraq poses a clear threat to the foundations of the federal system.

We take pride in our friendship and close alliance with the United States, while at the same time seeking to build balanced relations and good-neighbourly ties with all countries of the region, including the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We are engaged in ongoing dialogue and communication with officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we have repeatedly reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region is not a party to any war or conflict and does not allow its territory to be used as a launchpad for threats to the security of any side.

The presence of Iranian opposition forces in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region is not a recent development but dates back many years, with its roots extending to the era of the former regime.

We fully support the efforts of Federal Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to combat corruption, disarm militias and resolve outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad within the framework of the Constitution.

We are fully prepared to deploy all our capabilities to support the federal government in increasing public revenues and overcoming the obstacles and challenges it faces.

Efforts and discussions are progressing toward reactivating the Kurdistan Parliament and forming the new Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet.

Media Office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region

September 27, 2026

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