The U.S. opened its largest Erbil consulate, reaffirming Kurdistan’s role as a trusted regional partner.
The United States on Monday inaugurated its largest consulate compound in Erbil during a ceremony attended by senior U.S. and Kurdistan Region officials, underscoring Washington’s long-term commitment to the Kurdistan Region and its role in Iraq’s stability.
A U.S. delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas visited Erbil for the opening and held separate meetings with President Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The new compound was formally opened during a ceremony attended by President Masoud Barzani, President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and Deputy Secretary Rigas. All three Kurdistan Region leaders, along with the U.S. delegation, delivered remarks.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said the new diplomatic center “is a clear political message about the importance of Erbil and the Kurdistan Region,” reflecting what he described as a deep, decades-long partnership between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the United States.
He said relations with Washington “are built on trust, values, and shared work,” stretching from the creation of the no-fly zone in the 1990s to the fight against ISIS. “The United States has always stood with the people of Kurdistan through the most difficult and sensitive periods,” he said.
The president recalled joint efforts in 2003 and again in 2014, when Peshmerga forces fought alongside Iraqi troops, the United States, and the international coalition. “Together we defeated the myth of ISIS and liberated cities and areas under its control,” he said. “These are unforgettable pages of history and a strong foundation for future partnership.”
Opening the new compound, he added, “reaffirms the continuity of this relationship and the U.S. commitment to working with us for peace and stability.” He said the move reflects renewed confidence in the Kurdistan Region’s progress, its partnership with Baghdad, and its ability to develop a “successful model of coexistence and stability.”
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said the next phase of cooperation would expand into political and security coordination, economic and investment ties, cultural and educational exchange, and deeper people-to-people contact. “We want Kurdistan to be a bridge of relations, not a front line of conflict,” he said.
He reiterated the Region’s commitment to working with Baghdad to resolve outstanding issues “on the basis of the constitution and the principles of good governance,” and expressed appreciation for U.S. support through military assistance, diplomatic engagement, and private-sector involvement. “They all deserve great respect and gratitude,” he said.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani praised the new compound as “a symbol of the strong partnership between the United States and the people of the Kurdistan Region.”
He said the United States has consistently supported the Kurds, beginning with the establishment of the safe zone in 1991. When ISIS overran large parts of Iraq and threatened the Kurdistan Region, “the United States once again stepped forward, formed a coalition, and helped us eliminate terrorism,” he said.
PM Masrour Barzani expressed thanks for Washington’s long-standing support and said the KRG would continue working with the United States “for the next stages and the future.” He said the Region supports what he described as former President Trump’s approach to securing peace “through economic empowerment and commercial expansion instead of war and conflict,” and affirmed that the KRG remains committed to cooperating with both Washington and Baghdad.
As Iraq moves toward forming a new federal government, the prime minister said the KRG expects it to “respect the constitution and the rights of all communities and faiths” throughout Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. He added that the Kurdistan Region “has become a refuge for all those seeking safety, where their rights are protected.”
He said the Region now hopes to extend support to others in need: “Together we can build a better country, a stronger region, and a more prosperous future.”
Deputy Secretary Rigas said the new consulate “is more than a building; it is proof of the strong relationship and deep value between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.” He said the facility incorporates top U.S. design and construction standards and will serve as “a platform to expand shared interests.”
Rigas said a strong and stable Kurdistan Region “is a central pillar of U.S. relations with Iraq,” and he praised the KRG as “a reliable security partner and a trusted voice in the region.”
He issued a pointed message to armed groups in Iraq, calling on Iraqi and Kurdish authorities to work together to curb Iranian-backed militias destabilizing the region. He condemned the recent terrorist attack on the Khor Mor gas field and said the rule of law must prevail, with perpetrators brought to justice.
Rigas concluded by reaffirming U.S. support for protecting the religious and ethnic communities of Iraq and Syria, saying, “There is no stronger friend to these communities than the United States.”
The Kurdish Globe