ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani described his Friday meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “successful”, adding that they extended a formal invitation for the American top diplomat to visit Erbil.

The Kurdish premier arrived at the Department of State headquarters at around 12:30 PM (PST) and held a meeting with Rubio which lasted for over an hour.

“We had a very good and beneficial meeting,” Barzani told reporters after the meeting. “We discussed and exchanged views, understanding, and opinions about the programs in the wider region.”

“We were very happy to see a lot of support from the US for the people of Kurdistan and for the process which we believe will benefit all of Kurdistan and all the people of Iraq,” the Kurdish premier added.

Following their meeting, Barzani and Rubio shook hands and posed for a picture in front of reporters and photojournalists at the building.

Since arriving in Washington on Saturday, Barzani has met with numerous high-profile US officials, including Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and dozens of congressmen and senators.

Strengthening bilateral ties with the new US administration, energy cooperation, and future investment are among the top priorities of Prime Minister Barzani’s agenda.

Kurdistan Region PM Masrour Barzani on Friday signed the Guest Book at the US State Department

“We are grateful for all the support that the US has given us. Now we think we can build together more,” wrote Barzani pic.twitter.com/wHwjv15r1c

— The New Region (@thenewregion) May 23, 2025

The prime minister on Monday oversaw the signing of two agreements, one with HKN Energy and ONEX Group, and another with WesternZagros. The deals have a combined value of around $110 billion, and aim to boost the Kurdistan Region’s energy sector.

The Iraqi oil ministry has rejected the recent agreements, claiming that the procedures violate a 2022 Iraqi federal court ruling prohibiting Iraqi regions and provinces from regulating trade policy with other countries. The KRG’s natural resources ministry has responded to Baghdad’s comments, stating that the agreements are constitutionally valid and have been previously approved by Iraqi courts.

“We hope that all the opinions and statements we hear from Baghdad consider the interests of the Iraqi people,” said Prime Minister Barzani on Friday.

US officials have collectively stressed that the recent deals benefit the whole of Iraq, not just the Kurdistan Region, during Prime Minister Barzani’s meetings in Washington.