Bafel Talabani and U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack Discuss Iraqi Political Deadlock and Kurdish Unity

Peregraf - Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), met on Tuesday with Tom Barrack, the U.S. Special Envoy for Syrian Affairs, to discuss Iraq’s ongoing political impasse and broader regional developments.

The meeting, held in Sulaymaniyah, was also attended by Qubad Talabani, a senior PUK leader and Deputy Prime Minister of the KRG, and Joshua Harris, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Iraq. 

According to an official statement from Talabani’s office, the discussions centered on the stalled formation of Iraq’s next federal government. Both sides agreed on the necessity of overcoming the political obstacles currently delaying the process in Baghdad. They emphasized that Iraq must remain a "prosperous, sovereign, and independent country." 

Talabani reaffirmed that the PUK remains committed to playing a central role in Iraq’s federal political system, aiming to ensure a governance model that serves all Iraqi citizens. He also underscored the urgency of forming a new cabinet for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), stressing that current challenges require a unified Kurdish position both within the Kurdistan Region and at the national level.

This meeting followed a session on Monday in Pirmam, where Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), hosted Barrack alongside KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

A statement from Barzani Headquarters indicated that the Pirmam meeting also addressed Iraq’s political future, regional stability, and the situation in Syria. Masoud Barzani highlighted that the post of Iraqi President—a position traditionally held by a Kurdish representative—should be determined through a mechanism that reflects the will and consensus of the people of the Kurdistan Region.

Regarding the appointment of a new prime minister, Barzani noted that while the nomination process remains the responsibility of the Coordination Framework, any incoming premier must adhere to constitutional principles and ensure a fair balance in governance.

These consecutive meetings underscore an intensified diplomatic push by both Kurdish leaders and U.S. officials to resolve Iraq’s prolonged political stalemate, while seeking greater coordination between Kurdish factions amid rising regional tensions.