US in a meeting with President Barzani: Weapons must remain in the hands of the state
Shafaq News – Erbil (Updated at 15:40)
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Michael Rigas in Erbil on Wednesday, with both sides stressing the need to bring those responsible for the Khor Mor attack to justice.
According to a statement from the Kurdish Presidency, during the meeting, President Barzani said the visit underscored “the US’s sustained dedication to a stable, prosperous Iraq and a strong, reliable partnership with the Kurdistan Region.” He thanked the United States for its continued political, economic, and security support.
سهرۆك نێچيرڤان بارزانى لهگهڵ جێگرى وهزيرى دهرهوهى ئهمهريكا كۆبووهوهhttps://t.co/j0HrqFg5VI pic.twitter.com/HtL8BjsH0l
— Kurdistan Region Presidency (@KurdistanRegion) December 3, 2025
The talks covered Iraq’s broader political landscape; the results of the recent parliamentary elections; counter-ISIS operations; and regional security developments. Both sides also discussed efforts to stabilize and modernize the Region’s economy.
The statement said Barzani and Rigas strongly condemned the recent drone attack on the Khor Mor gas facility, adding that the perpetrators must face justice and reiterating that weapons must remain solely in the hands of the state.
Rigas—who oversees resource governance portfolios at the State Department—arrived in Iraq earlier this week on a visit designed to strengthen the US–Iraq partnership and review ongoing American-supported programs. His trip also includes the inauguration of the new US Consulate General in Erbil, a step Washington says reflects its long-term strategic commitment to the Region.
