ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday spoke by phone with US Envoy Tom Barrack to discuss a new agreement between Erbil and Baghdad to export Iraqi oil through the Kurdistan Region. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Barzani confirmed that Erbil and Baghdad have reached an agreement to export Iraqi oil through the Kurdistan Region to Turkey’s Ceyhan port.

During the call, Barrack “conveyed President Donald Trump's greetings and respect to the Prime Minister and congratulated the Prime Minister for his readiness to assist the federal government in exporting oil through Turkey,” according to a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) statement. 

Barzani said that while talks with Baghdad are ongoing, he has instructed the KRG’s authorities “to facilitate oil exports in the interest of the people during these difficult circumstances,” the statement said. 

He also urged Washington to play a “monitoring and oversight role” in negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad over customs and the trade embargo imposed on Kurdish traders. 

Meanwhile, Barrack thanked Erbil and Baghdad for the deal, saying it came at a “critical time.” 

“Your courage, steadfast cooperation, and commitment to the diplomatic path has been truly invaluable,” the US envoy said on X

The breakthrough follows negotiations between the KRG and the Iraqi federal government, as the Strait of Hormuz - through which Iraq exports nearly all of its oil - remains constrained.

Iraq’s oil ministry on Sunday accused the Kurdistan Region of refusing "to resume exports at this time,” demanding that Erbil resume exports "immediately".

Hours later, the Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources responded to Baghdad’s statements, blaming the Iraqi government for overlooking an ongoing economic embargo on the Region and failure to put an end to state-linked pro-Iran factions’ attacks on infrastructure.