Senior US envoy Tom Barrack has held a series of meetings with Kurdish leaders from Iraq and Syria in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Barrack, a friend of US President Donald Trump with a broader Middle East brief, discussed the political landscape in both countries and the broader regional situation as American negotiators meet their Iranian counterparts in Pakistan and Switzerland to end the war.
Barrack’s visit comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Kurdish factions. Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration with the Kurds, accusing them of receiving American weapons but failing to use them against Iran—a charge Kurdish leaders deny. According to a well-placed Kurdish political source, the Kurds told Barrack that they want to work with the US administration but that American demands could not exceed Kurdish capabilities or upset the delicate balance of their relations with neighbouring countries and regional partners.
Barrack met Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, then Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani, followed by a trilateral session with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Gen. Mazloum Abdi. Earlier, Nechirvan Barzani convened a broader meeting with Syrian Kurdish political figures. Barrack wrapped up his visit with an extended discussion with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani. Throughout, he was accompanied by US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris, White House diplomat Zahra Bell, and other American diplomats and military officials.
Al Majalla understands that Barrack raised several main issues as he reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to its Kurdish partners, saying he would liaise directly with President Trump to clear up any misunderstandings. The Kurdish leaders outlined their positions and concerns with some US proposals, notably any attempt to equate the disarmament of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias with the status of the Kurdish Peshmerga.
On the formation of a new Kurdistan Regional Government—now nearly 20 months after parliamentary elections—Barrack pressed both major parties to show flexibility and reach a deal. After the meeting, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reiterated the need for the Kurdistan Parliament to convene as soon as possible. Sources close to Bafel Talabani said he told Barrack that the prolonged delay was undermining the legitimacy and credibility of the current government. Barrack said the smooth functioning of Kurdish political institutions would dictate America’s partnerships there.
Barrack laid out Washington’s broader vision for Iraq based on the dismantling of armed factions aligned with Iran and pursuing political and security policies independent of Tehran. He urged the Kurds to work with the new federal government in Baghdad. Kurdish leaders explained the longstanding disputes between Erbil and Baghdad and offered support for the new government of Ali al-Zaidi, provided it resolves outstanding issues in line with the Iraqi constitution.
Tackling Iran
The Kurdish leaders asked Barrack to help prevent misunderstandings, particularly over the future of the Peshmerga (Kurdish fighters) and regional security forces, which they described as legitimate constitutional institutions fundamentally different from Iran-aligned militias.
On the US-Iran agreement, Barrack expressed hope that Tehran would honour its commitments to the benefit of the region. The Kurdish parties voiced full support for the deal, their desire for regional peace, and their policy of neutrality.
