Washington/Ankara, January 27, 2026 – US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack issued a stark warning on Monday regarding Iraq's ongoing government formation process, stating that Washington will not maintain an effective partnership with any administration perceived as installed or heavily influenced by Iran.
"On Iraq, the US position remains clear: a government installed by Iran will not be successful, neither for Iraqi or Syrian aspirations for a brighter future, nor for an effective partnership with the United States," Barrack posted on the social media platform X. The statement followed a "productive phone call" with Masoud Barzani, the influential leader of northern Iraq's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), during which the two discussed the evolving situation in Syria and the need to preserve the fragile ceasefire between the Syrian government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), also referred to as the YPG/SDF by Turkish authorities.
Barrack highlighted the importance of ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches vulnerable populations, specifically mentioning those in Ayn al-Arab (also known as Kobani) in Aleppo province, where access has been complicated by ongoing security dynamics. Ayn al-Arab district remains under SDF control, and the Syrian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday an extension of the ceasefire with the group by an additional 15 days. This prolongation aims to facilitate key issues, including the transfer of Islamic State (ISIS) detainees from former SDF-held facilities to secure locations in Iraq, as part of broader efforts to consolidate central authority and counter lingering terrorist threats.
The US envoy's remarks build on a broader American stance articulated in recent high-level engagements. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, focusing on Iraq's "ongoing deliberations" to form a new government following parliamentary elections and coalition negotiations. According to the US State Department, both officials reaffirmed a "shared commitment" to positioning Iraq as "a force for stability, prosperity, and security in the Middle East." Rubio explicitly cautioned that a government controlled by Iran would fail to prioritize Iraq's own interests, avoid entanglement in regional conflicts, or strengthen the mutually beneficial US-Iraq partnership.
Barrack echoed this view earlier, stressing that Iraq must establish a government capable of maintaining cooperation with its neighbors—including Türkiye, Syria, and Gulf states—as well as with Western partners to achieve long-term regional stability and economic growth. These statements come at a critical juncture for Iraq, where political factions are maneuvering to form a cabinet amid concerns over the influence of Iran-backed Shia groups within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the Coordination Framework coalition.
Iraq's political landscape remains complex following the October 2025 elections, with delays in forming a government exacerbated by competing interests among Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish blocs. The Shia Coordination Framework, which includes parties with historical ties to Tehran, has been prominent in negotiations, raising alarms in Washington about potential Iranian sway over Baghdad's policies. US officials have repeatedly emphasized the need for an inclusive, independent administration that can navigate Iraq's position between its alliances with the United States—through security cooperation and counterterrorism—and its economic and geographic ties to Iran.
The timing of Barrack's comments aligns with intensified US diplomatic efforts across the region. As Special Envoy for Syria, Barrack has played a central role in mediating between Damascus and the SDF, supporting integration agreements that aim to dissolve parallel structures in northeastern Syria and bring those areas under unified Syrian state control. The January 18, 2026, agreement—facilitated in part by US mediation—outlined a ceasefire, withdrawal of SDF forces from key provinces like Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, and the gradual incorporation of SDF fighters into the Syrian army under central command. The recent 15-day extension reflects ongoing talks to address implementation challenges, including humanitarian access and detainee transfers.
Masoud Barzani, a key Kurdish figure with longstanding ties to US policymakers, has been involved in these discussions. His conversation with Barrack underscores the interconnected nature of developments in Syria and Iraq, where Kurdish interests—autonomy, security, and counterterrorism—intersect with broader US goals of countering Iranian influence and stabilizing the Levant.
The US position on Iraq reflects a consistent policy under the Trump administration to curb Tehran's regional reach, particularly after the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict and subsequent US actions against Iranian nuclear facilities. Officials have warned that excessive Iranian involvement in Iraq could jeopardize bilateral ties, including economic cooperation and security assistance. Recent reports indicate heightened US scrutiny of potential sanctions, even targeting Iraqi oil revenues, if Iran-aligned armed groups gain prominent roles in the new government.
For Syria, the ceasefire extensions represent cautious progress toward national reunification following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024. The Syrian transitional government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has prioritized reclaiming control over SDF-held territories while committing to Kurdish cultural rights through decrees like No. 13 of 2026. US support for this process has included backing for counter-ISIS efforts, now shifting toward Damascus as the primary partner.
As Iraq edges closer to a government announcement—potentially by late January or early February—the US warnings serve as a clear signal to Baghdad's political actors. Washington seeks an Iraq that balances its sovereignty, pursues economic recovery, and contributes to regional stability without becoming a proxy in broader rivalries. Barrack's outreach to Barzani and alignment with Rubio's messaging highlight a coordinated diplomatic push to shape outcomes favorable to US interests in a volatile region.
Observers note that the interplay between Iraq's formation process, Syria's stabilization efforts, and US-Iran tensions will likely define the Middle East's trajectory in the coming months. With humanitarian needs pressing in areas like Ayn al-Arab and ISIS remnants still posing risks, the success of these diplomatic initiatives remains critical.
