The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the stability of Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). The Secretary discussed the continued attacks on Iraqi, U.S., and Coalition forces, including the April 14 attack on the Erbil International Airport. The Secretary and Prime Minister agreed that these attacks represent an egregious violation of Iraqi sovereignty. The Secretary emphasized the importance of free and fair Iraqi parliamentary elections in October, and he encouraged continued close cooperation between Baghdad and the KRG on issues of mutual concern.