U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani today, July 21st, to discuss recent drone strikes targeting U.S. and non-U.S. oil companies in the Kurdistan Region and ongoing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, including salary issues, according to a report by The New Region. This call comes amid heightened tensions following the drone attacks on energy infrastructure. The specific companies affected by these strikes were not detailed in the report, but the U.S. government has expressed concern over the security of its interests and those of its allies in the region. The discussions are also expected to cover the long-standing financial and administrative disagreements between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Erbil and the federal government in Baghdad. These disputes have frequently involved the allocation of oil revenues and the timely payment of public sector salaries in the Kurdistan Region. Secretary Rubio's engagement with Prime Minister al-Sudani underscores the U.S.'s continued diplomatic efforts to promote stability and address critical issues in Iraq. The U.S. has a vested interest in the security of the Kurdistan Region due to the presence of American personnel and investments, as well as its strategic importance in the broader Middle East.
