Secretary of State Rubio Speaks with Kurdish Leader After Iranian Attack

Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted a phone call with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani following a deadly Iranian missile strike. The conversation included thanks for Kurdish cooperation in oil distribution and condolences for fallen Peshmerga fighters.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted a telephone conversation with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday, according to a State Department announcement.

During the discussion, Rubio thanked Kurdish leadership for their role in facilitating the flow of Iraqi oil, including petroleum from the Kurdistan region, to international markets. The State Department noted that “The secretary also expressed his gratitude to the Kurdistan Regional Government for enabling oil from Iraq, including from the Iraq Kurdistan Region, to reach global markets.”

Oil market volatility has increased due to the ongoing conflict with Iran, affecting global energy prices.

Rubio also conveyed sympathy regarding recent casualties, as the State Department reported he “offered his condolences to the families of the Peshmerga killed in an Iranian missile attack on March 24 and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.”

The deadly incident occurred when Iranian forces launched a missile assault on a Kurdish military installation located north of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. According to Peshmerga officials, the Tuesday morning attack resulted in at least six Kurdish fighters losing their lives and left 30 others wounded.

Kurdish military leadership described Iran’s actions as a “treacherous attack,” stating that six Iranian ballistic missiles targeted the Peshmerga military headquarters facility north of Erbil during the early morning hours.

The broader conflict with Iran commenced on February 28 when American and Israeli forces initiated strikes against Iranian targets. Iran retaliated with its own military operations against Israeli territory and Gulf nations hosting American military installations. The escalating violence, including continued joint American-Israeli operations in Iran and Israeli military action in Lebanon, has resulted in thousands of casualties.

President Donald Trump has provided varying objectives and timeframes for the military campaign, from regime change in Iran to dismantling the country’s military and missile infrastructure. During Thursday’s remarks, Trump again claimed victory in the ongoing conflict.