Sudani noted the need to resolve “all outstanding issues and remove obstacles” in full adherence with the Iraqi constitution and the law, according to a statement from his office.
The Iraqi prime minister visited Erbil on Saturday as his government is under American pressure to resolve its oil dispute with the KRG and resume exports. He also met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani.
A statement from the KRG echoed Sudani’s sentiments about his meeting with PM Barzani.
“Both sides emphasized the need to resolve outstanding issues between the KRG and the federal government in accordance with the constitution,” it read, adding that the two also stressed the importance of securing “financial rights and entitlements of the people and safeguarding their interests.”
Erbil and Baghdad have each blamed the other for delays in reaching a deal to resume Kurdish oil exports through Turkey that were stopped two years ago following a court case. Washington is pressuring them to reach a deal.
“Reopening the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline immediately is crucial to protecting past U.S. investments and attracting future investment,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Prime Minister Barzani agreed during a phone call on Friday, according to a State Department readout.
With respect to his discussion with PM Barzani about regional challenges, Sudani stated that “the government has successfully navigated various internal and external crises and has taken responsibility despite the regional volatility.”
The KRG statement noted that the two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation to confront current challenges.
The spillover from Israel’s war on Iranian interests across the Middle East—following the Hamas October 7, 2023 attacks—continues to expand, as Tel Aviv pursues efforts to dismantle the Iranian-backed “Axis of Resistance” throughout the region. Iraq, which hosts several Iran-aligned armed groups embedded within its state and military structures, has often been viewed as a potential target.
At the Erbil Forum 2025 in late February, hosted by Rudaw, Sudani addressed these dynamics, stating, “We have worked tirelessly to shield Iraq from the flames of this conflict and have made continuous efforts at the international level to help end the war.”
“Over the past two years, our government has remained committed to a policy centered on ‘Iraq First.’ We aim to prioritize the interests of Iraq and its people, while maintaining positive engagement with our neighbors and the broader international community,” he added.
