Shafaq News
KRG Representative to the United States Tareefa Aziz said the
Kurdistan Region’s strategic position in Washington remains solid under the
Trump administration.
In an exclusive interview with Shafaq News, Aziz addressed
the Kurdistan Region’s standing in Washington, the significance of the new US
consulate, the impact of Envoy Mark Savaya’s appointment, ongoing security
pressures such as the Khor Mor attacks, and the trajectory of US–KRG economic
and strategic ties.
The following is the full text of the interview:
Q: How would you assess the Kurdistan Region’s standing in
Washington today—specifically with the Trump administration—given the growing
discourse on realigning US Middle East priorities toward energy and security
over other issues?
R: The Kurdistan Region’s standing in Washington remains
exceptionally strong. The Trump administration has made clear that peace,
stability, and economic expansion in the Middle East are central priorities,
and the KRG is fully aligned with those goals. Our relationship is decades-old,
strategic, and rooted in trust. Recent events, including the opening of the
largest US consulate in the world in Erbil, demonstrate that Washington sees
the Kurdistan Region as a long-term and reliable partner at a time when energy
security and regional stability matter more than ever.
Q: Discussions on relations with Washington often refer to a
“360-degree strategic partnership” encompassing security, economy,
and diplomacy. In practical terms, what are the pillars of this partnership
today across Congress, the White House, and the State Department?
R: The US –Kurdistan partnership today is grounded in strong
engagement with Congress, the White House, the State Department, and across
other US agencies centered on security
cooperation, expanding economic ties, and active diplomatic outreach. We
continue to maintain a steady presence on Capitol Hill and in our engagements
with the administration, ensuring that our priorities remain well understood
and that this long-standing, reliable partnership continues to deepen across
all areas.
Q: The US is constructing a massive consulate compound in
Erbil, described as the largest US consulate in the world—larger even than many
embassies. How do you interpret this message? Does it signify that Washington
views Erbil as a long-term center of gravity in the region, rather than merely
a transient outpost?
R: The opening of the new US consulate reflects America’s
long-term commitment and the important strategic partnership that the Kurdistan
Region has with the United States. It is a clear vote of confidence in the
Kurdistan Region, its stability, and its future. The facility will serve as a
strategic hub for engagement across Iraq and the wider region, deepening
cooperation on counterterrorism, investment, energy, economic development, and
people-to-people ties.
Q: The appointment of Mark Savaya—a Chaldean-Iraqi-American
businessman from the medical cannabis sector—as Special Envoy to Iraq has
sparked controversy, yet it was presented in Washington as a signal to
revitalize relations with Baghdad and Erbil during a turbulent regional moment.
In your view, what does this selection imply for the future of Iraqi- US
relations? Do you see it as an opportunity that could serve the Kurds, or a new
risk driven more by personality than by an institutional diplomatic track?
R: The Kurdistan
Regional Government looks forward to working with the Mr. Savaya in his new
role as US Special Envoy to Iraq. His appointment underscores the importance
the Trump administration places on Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Any
senior-level attention from Washington is an opportunity to strengthen ties.
The KRG sees Envoy Savaya’s role as a chance to advance institutional
cooperation, support stability, and reinforce long-standing US priorities in
Iraq.
Q: Envoy Mark Savaya has spoken on multiple occasions about
the necessity of “consolidating weapons under state control” and
implementing “fundamental reforms” in Iraq’s governance and economy,
while pledging continued US security support. What do you practically expect
from his role specifically regarding Kurdistan? Do you anticipate greater
pressure on Baghdad regarding energy files, salaries, and protecting the Region
from attacks, or rather mediation to rebuild trust between Baghdad, Erbil, and
Washington within a new governance equation?
R: We expect the Envoy to support practical solutions
between Baghdad, Erbil, and Washington, particularly on key issues such as
energy security, budget stability, the protection of critical infrastructure,
as well as addressing challenges for the long-term stability of the
country. His early statements have
emphasized consolidating weapons under state authority and reform, which aligns
with our own interests. We hope he will help expedite defensive equipment, including
urgently needed anti-drone systems to the Kurdistan Region.
Q: For years, Washington has described Kurdistan as its
“closest, most reliable partner” in Iraq. Do you feel this
description remains accurate given the growing influence of Iran-aligned
factions in Baghdad and the ongoing debate regarding the future of the US military presence in Iraq?
R: The Kurdistan Region remains the most reliable US partner
in the region. This partnership has been tried and tested through decades of
cooperation, from the fight against ISIS to supporting American investments and
regional stability. Despite shifts in Baghdad’s political landscape, the US
consistently affirms that the Kurdistan Region remains its most reliable
partner in Iraq, and a linchpin of its foreign policy in Iraq.
Q: Recent security agreements outline a shift of US forces
from bases in central and southern Iraq to a more significant concentration in
Kurdistan. Do you view this as reinforcing the Region’s status as a key
security partner for Washington, or does it place an additional security and
political burden on the KRG in confronting Iran-aligned factions?
R: The Kurdistan Region remains fully committed to
counterterrorism cooperation and regional stability. If the US sees the
Kurdistan Region as a key security partner, that reflects our long-standing
commitment and the stability we provide within Iraq.
Q: How do you interpret the political message behind the
Khor Mor attacks on one hand, and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s request
for air defense systems on the other—and will Washington respond to this
request? Furthermore, who is the actual beneficiary of targeting a facility
that serves as an energy nerve center for both the Region and Iraq?
R: The attack on Khor Mor was a direct strike on the energy
security of both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Prime Minister Masrour
Barzani’s request for anti-drone systems reflects the severity of the
escalating threat. The US responded swiftly in condemning the attack, but we
have been clear: condemnations must be paired with action. These facilities
power millions of innocent civilians. The beneficiaries of such attacks are
actors who wish to destabilize Iraq and undermine American and regional interests.
Q: Do you fear that Khor Mor and other gas fields could turn
into a permanent “pressure point” used by armed groups to blackmail
Erbil, or perhaps to exert pressure on Washington and American energy companies
operating in the Region?
R: Unfortunately, oil
and gas fields in the Kurdistan Region have been consistently and repeatedly
attacked. Any attack on energy infrastructure hurts all of Iraq. That is why it
is essential that these facilities are protected. We are working closely with
Baghdad and Washington to ensure such sites are not used as leverage by illegal
armed groups seeking to destabilize the region.
Q: During Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s last visit to
Washington, major energy agreements with US companies were announced, with
values estimated at $100–110 billion over the lifespan of the contracts. How do
you assess the importance of these contracts for Kurdistan and their role in US
policy?
R: These long-term contracts with major American companies
are a cornerstone of our economic partnership with the United States. They
signal strong investor confidence, support regional energy security, and
contribute directly to Iraq’s stability. For US policy, these agreements
represent a deep, strategic American presence in one of the Middle East’s most
promising energy markets.
Q: Does your office in Washington have a clear economic
roadmap for the next three years to attract US companies, or is the role
limited to facilitating meetings and delegations? Additionally, how do you
measure success: by the volume of investments, or by the quality of projects
and technology transfer?
R: Our office is actively advancing a forward-looking
economic agenda. We work to attract high-quality, high-impact American
investment while supporting trade delegations, networking, and policymaker
engagement. Success is measured not only through investment volume but through
durable partnerships, technology transfer, and the modernization of key sectors
such as energy, digital transformation, and agriculture.
Q: How do you navigate dealing with two nearly contradictory
lobbies in the US capital: one advocating for reduced engagement in the Middle
East and withdrawal from Iraq, and another arguing that maintaining a strong,
allied Kurdistan is a long-term strategic investment for the United States?
R: Washington is a place of diverse and competing
viewpoints. Fortunately, we have maintained strong bipartisan support in the
United Stated Congress for decades. Our
message is consistent: a strong and stable Kurdistan Region benefits both Iraq
and longstanding US interests. We focus on facts, on the KRG’s record as a
reliable partner, and on the tangible contributions the Region makes to
security and energy stability.
Q: Internally, how do you assess the Kurdish landscape
itself: the partisan divisions, the stalled government formation in the Region,
and the disputes between Erbil and Sulaymaniyah? Does this image weaken
Kurdistan’s ability in Washington to advocate for a unified and clear cause?
R: Political debate exists in every democratic society. The
Kurdistan Region remains committed to stability, unity, and good governance.
What matters most to our partners in Washington is our continued reliability,
our ability to provide security, and our consistent alignment with shared US
Iraq goals. These fundamentals have not changed.
Q: As a Kurd holding the position of KRG Representative in
the United States, how do you leverage this identity to understand the
“language of Washington” on one hand, and to convey the concerns of
the Kurdish street on the other?
R: As a Kurdish
American with two decades of experience in foreign and legislative policy, I’m
in a unique position to bridge both worlds. My background helps me understand
how Washington thinks — its policy language, strategic priorities, and
decision-making culture — and it allows me to communicate our government’s
goals and mission effectively. At the same time, I stay grounded in the values
and expectations of our people, so I can reflect their concerns accurately and
advocate for their them with credibility.
Q: If you were asked to summarize the Kurds’ message to
decision-makers in Washington in a single sentence—following the Khor Mor
attacks and all the recent economic and political crises—what would that
sentence be?
R: As the most reliable and trusted ally of the United
States, the Kurdistan Region needs reliable political and security support from
the United States so we can protect our people, stabilize our economy, and
remain a trusted partner in an increasingly dangerous environment.
Q: Finally, when you look at the next five years, do you
feel that Kurdistan is heading toward greater stability and a deeper
partnership with Washington, or do the surrounding risks (regional and
internal) outweigh the opportunities for growth? And why?
R: We remain optimistic. With sustained US engagement,
expanding economic partnerships, and progress on defensive capabilities, the
Kurdistan Region is well-positioned for deeper stability and growth. The
challenges we face are real, but so are the opportunities, and with strong
partnerships, particularly with the United States, we believe the next five
years can be a period of greater security, expanded investment, and long-term
stability.
For Shafaq News, Mostafa Hashem, Washington D.C.
