Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said Erbil will not join regional conflicts. He stressed that the Region supports peaceful solutions while respecting Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Speaking about the ongoing conflict, the prime minister said Kurdistan never sought involvement in the war. Instead, regional authorities remain focused on protecting the population and territory.
At the same time, Barzani rejected claims that outside parties pressured Erbil to enter the conflict. National interests, he said, remain the Region’s primary priority.
More than 1,000 missile and drone attacks have reportedly targeted the Kurdistan Region. According to Barzani, Iran or armed groups operating inside Iraq launched the attacks.
Those attacks caused casualties and infrastructure damage across the Region, according to the prime minister. Meanwhile, claims about an ongoing U.S. presence at Harir Air Base were rejected.
International forces previously used the base during operations against terrorism. However, the Region maintains that its territory does not threaten neighboring countries.
Turning to Kurdish issues, Barzani called for dialogue instead of military confrontation. Peaceful agreements, he argued, offer the best path toward securing Kurdish rights.
Regarding Baghdad, national foreign policy remains the responsibility of Iraq’s federal government. Consequently, the Kurdistan Region continues to follow Baghdad’s foreign-policy decisions.
State authority over armed groups also remains important, according to the prime minister. Peaceful disarmament or integration into official security forces should replace military confrontation.
Economic pressures have also intensified because of the continuing conflict. Trade with other countries has reportedly declined by more than 70 percent.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has created additional pressure on Iraq’s economy. Heavy dependence on oil exports leaves the country vulnerable to regional disruptions.
Kurdistan could potentially produce between 300,000 and 400,000 barrels of oil daily with additional investment. However, that output would not replace Iraq’s southern production.
Another major challenge involves the absence of a federal hydrocarbon law. Article 140, taxation, and constitutional powers also remain important Baghdad-Erbil issues.
Meanwhile, economic diversification continues across agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, and industry. Digital government services and private-sector development also remain key priorities.
Relations with Türkiye were described as strong, while peaceful efforts addressing border conflicts received support. In Syria, Barzani backed continued dialogue between Damascus and Kurdish representatives.
Finally, optimism about Kurdistan’s younger generation remained a key message. National interests, he stressed, should come before political divisions among Kurdish parties.