U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Iraqi PM al-Sudani Discuss Kurdistan Oil Exports and Militia Disarmament

Peregraf- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call today with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani, during which the two leaders discussed economic cooperation and regional security, according to a statement by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott from the U.S. State Department.

The discussion focused on ongoing efforts to finalize U.S. commercial deals in Iraq. Secretary Rubio congratulated Prime Minister al-Sudani on the resumption of oil exports through the Iraq–Türkiye Pipeline, a move that he said would benefit Iraq, Türkiye, and American businesses.

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region officially resumed on September 27, 2025, after being suspended for nearly two and a half years. Under the new arrangement, oil from the region is transported through the KRG’s pipeline to Faysh Khabur, where it connects to the Iraq–Türkiye Pipeline for shipment to Ceyhan.

Rubio also stressed the importance of disarming Iran-backed militias, describing them as a major threat to Iraq’s sovereignty and a source of danger to both American and Iraqi lives. He accused these groups of siphoning Iraqi resources to Iran, undermining national stability.

The US Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to working closely with Baghdad to safeguard Iraq’s sovereignty, enhance regional stability, and strengthen bilateral economic ties.