ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday held a call with US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum where the pair discussed the Region’s energy outlook as attacks on the Region continue amid the Iran war.

The two discussed “the energy outlook for the Kurdistan Region and the positive role of American companies in supporting that industry,” read a statement from Barzani’s office.

The Kurdistan Region’s energy infrastructure has come under continuous drone attacks by Iran-aligned militias, forcing some to halt operations at certain points.

In late March, the Kurdish premier held a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the American top diplomat “strongly condemned the continued attacks by Iran and Iran-aligned Iraqi terrorist militias against US citizens and energy infrastructure across Iraq.”

The Kurdistan Region has been targeted in nearly 500 missile and drone attacks since the start of the war in the Middle East in late February, leaving at least 18 dead and dozens injured, with Erbil calling on Baghdad to compensate residents whose homes and property were damaged.

During the call with Burgum, who is also the Chairman of the White House National Energy Dominance Council, the premier “reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude for the United States' continued support and underlined the need for further assistance in protecting energy infrastructure and oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region from terrorist attacks.”

In May 2025, Barzani presided over the signing of two major agreements in the energy sector between the Kurdistan Region’s natural resources ministry and US firms HKN Energy and WesternZagros in Washington, DC. The deals have a combined value of $110 billion and aim to boost the Kurdistan Region’s energy sector.

“Secretary Burgum expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s leadership and collaboration on energy matters,” the statement said.