The United States has voiced support for gas contracts between American firms and Iraq’s Kurdish region, despite Baghdad’s legal objections.
Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani revealed the deals, worth tens of billions of dollars, during a visit to Washington last week.
Barzani met Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who “commended” the agreements, according to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Bruce reaffirmed Washington’s backing of the contracts and urged cooperation between Baghdad and Arbil.
“We encourage Baghdad and Arbil to work together to expand domestic gas production as soon as possible,” she said.
Bruce described the deals as a pathway toward energy independence and mutual economic gain for Iraq and the United States.
She stressed that Washington sees a resilient Kurdistan within a united Iraq as vital to regional stability and prosperity.
Despite Iraq’s lawsuit challenging the contracts, the US expects such partnerships to continue and grow, Bruce added.
“We are looking forward to continuing these kinds of deals… and hope that they would be facilitated,” she said.
The lawsuit underscores ongoing tensions between Iraq’s central government and the semi-autonomous Kurdish region over control of energy resources.
Observers say the outcome could reshape how international firms navigate Iraq’s complex political and legal landscape.
For now, Washington’s message is clear: it stands firmly behind its energy interests—and Kurdistan’s role in securing them.