Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Iraq today to discuss key political, economic, humanitarian, and security issues with government officials, including our long-term partnership with Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement. The Deputy Secretary is accompanied by Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, and Joseph Pennington, Deputy …

The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil is pleased to announce that Ms. Talan Aouny and Ms. Bahar Ali will attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which will take place June 22-24, 2016 in Palo Alto, California. They will be joining more than 700 entrepreneurs from around the world along with investors, speakers, and leaders in …

Greetings, and thank you Matthias. Thank you to everyone here tonight for joining us a little early to celebrate our Independence Day. I want to particularly acknowledge President Barzani: Mr. President, we are honored by your presence here as well as so many other representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government. And we are honored to …

Welcome, and thank you all for taking the time to join us on this, our 240th anniversary of independence. I’d like to particularly thank President Masoud Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, KRSC Chancellor Masrour Barzani, for joining us here this evening. Let me also welcome regional political, military and security leaders, our friends in …

H.E. President Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region H.E. Ambassador Stuart Jones, US ambassador to Iraq CG Matthias Mitman, Consul General of the United States in Kurdistan Region Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening to you all, I am pleased and privileged to be part of this …

I am delighted to join President Obama and Secretary Kerry in wishing a happy, healthy, and prosperous Nowruz to all our friends in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and around the world. As Americans, we rejoice along with all those who come together to celebrate the arrival of spring and a new year. Nowruz is a …

The United States condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism today in Iraq, including a suicide bombing and hostage-taking at a mall in Baghdad for which ISIL has claimed responsibility and two separate suicide attacks in Muqdadiyah. We express our deep condolences to the survivors and to the families of the victims. These attacks once again …

On December 31, the U.S. Consul General in Erbil, Matthias Mitman, joined with UNICEF and local NGOs in Erbil to distribute almost 2,500 sets of children’s clothing and blankets at Baharka Camp, where thousands of families have fled to escape Da’esh. The distribution is part of larger U.S. efforts to provide winter relief supplies to …

We congratulate the Iraqi Security Forces on their progress in the hard-fought battle to retake Ramadi. ISF seizing the Anbar Government complex in Ramadi is a major blow to Dae’sh terrorists who continue to lose territory. The United States is proud to have led the International Coalition in assisting the ISF and remains steadfast in …

On September 15, 2015, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stuart E. Jones led a high-level delegation from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense to meet with Kurdistan Regional Government officials, including separate meetings with President Massoud Barzani, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Hawrami, and Deputy Prime Minister …

The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil wishes to clarify visa processing information following incorrect reporting in some Iraqi media outlets that the Consulate General processes applications for immigrant visas. The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil does not accept applications for or process immigrant visas. All immigrant visas processing in Iraq is done by the U.S. …

Southwest Asia – Peshmerga forces with the support of Coalition airstrikes, are conducting a successful offensive operation against Daesh terrorists near Tuz in Northern Iraq. Since Aug. 26, the Peshmerga have destroyed Daesh defensive positions and re-established control of more than 200 square kilometers, liberating seven villages, and straightening and shortening the Kurdish forward line …

On August 8, 2015, Ambassador Stuart Jones, Deputy Special Presidential Envoy Brett McGurk, Consul General Matthias Mitman, and Lieutenant General James Terry visited former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani at his home in Sulaimaniyah. Ambassador Jones and the delegation reaffirmed U.S. commitment to continued cooperation with Iraqi Kurdish forces in the fight to degrade and defeat …

On July 27, 2015 Matthias Mitman became Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil. “I’m pleased to take up the position of Consul General in Erbil. I look forward to engaging with the people and officials of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and strengthening cooperation, economic ties, and people-to-people connections between the people of …

THE PRESIDENT:  Today, after two years of negotiations, the United States, together with our international partners, has achieved something that decades of animosity has not — a comprehensive, long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change — …

The President:  Welcome to the White House.  Now, I know that these are the longest days of the year, which is why I’m so glad that they put the first course down right away.  (Laughter.)  I know you’re hungry, and I promise to be brief. I want to thank the members of our diplomatic corps …

Vice President Biden spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi today to reaffirm continued U.S. support for the Iraqi government’s ongoing efforts to defeat ISIL. The Vice President thanked Prime Minister Al-Abadi for his steadfast leadership in Iraq and for promoting national unity at a time of significant security challenges, including today’s ISIL attack on Ramadi. …

Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today to discuss a range of issues, including the important role of the Kurdish Peshmerga and the Kurdish people in the fight against ISIL.  Deputy Secretary Blinken offered condolences to President Barzani for the people who have lost their lives …

President Obama participated in a meeting at the White House with Vice President Biden and Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. They discussed a range of issues, including the campaign to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL and the status of ongoing political initiatives to address the needs of the Iraqi people and foster …

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad marks World Press Freedom Day, an annual occasion to recognize and honor the essential role a free press plays in democracies to ensure access to the news that informed citizens need. World Press Freedom Day is also an opportunity to reflect on and pay tribute to the journalists who have …

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi. The Vice President reaffirmed the US commitment under the Strategic Framework Agreement to a united, federal, and democratic Iraq, as defined in the Iraqi constitution. He further reaffirmed, pursuant to this commitment that all U.S. military assistance in the fight against ISIL comes …

The United States condemns the attack in Erbil today in which a vehicle-born improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated outside the U.S. Consulate and took a number of innocent lives. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who were injured and killed. All Chief of Mission personnel have been accounted for and there …

U.S. Department of State – Office of the Spokesperson – Statement by Jen Psaki At the request of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the Coalition today launched airstrikes in and around Tikrit in support of Iraqi Security Forces ground operations. These strikes were designed to destroy ISIL strongholds with precision – protecting innocent Iraqis by minimizing …

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the Peshmerga shown in the disturbing video released last night by ISIL, which purportedly shows the barbaric execution of three men.  Although we are not in a position to confirm the authenticity of the video, we have no reason to doubt it given the other similar …