United States President Donald Trump addressed the precarious security situation in the Kurdistan Region on Tuesday, stating that his administration would review a formal request to provide anti-missile defense systems to the semi-autonomous region. The President’s comments were made in direct response to inquiries regarding recent militia attacks targeting the Khor Mor gas field, a critical energy hub that hosts significant international investment, including assets belonging to American companies.
During a cabinet meeting held on December 2, 2025, Diyar Kurda, the Washington bureau chief for the media network Rudaw, directly questioned the President regarding the United States' commitment to Kurdish security. According to a report by Rudaw, this interaction marked a historic milestone, as Kurda became the first journalist from the Kurdistan Region and the broader Middle East to participate in such a high-level cabinet gathering. This unique access provided a platform to elevate regional security concerns directly to the American leadership.
The dialogue centered on the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) request for defensive capabilities to protect civilian infrastructure from militia bombardment. Kurda highlighted that the attacks threaten not only local stability but also American economic interests in the region. The exchange began with a moment of levity when President Trump commented on the reporter's "soft and pleasant voice," asking him to speak louder before pivoting to the serious nature of the inquiry.
"I will look at it. I have heard about [the attack]," President Trump responded. He admitted that while the specific details were not initially at the top of his agenda, he was receiving more information on the incident. Acknowledging the human cost of the conflict, Trump stated, "I think it is a very unusual question, but I think you are from there and for you, this is a very important question, and for me too, because people have been killed."
President Trump utilized the question to broaden the conversation toward his administration's impact on the Middle East, specifically regarding Iraq and Iran. He asserted that the geopolitical dynamics have shifted drastically, claiming that Iran—formerly the "bully of the Middle East"—had been significantly weakened following US military actions against its nuclear capabilities. Trump described Iraq as being "very different" and "much friendlier" than in the past, attributing this change to his administration's aggressive stance against Tehran.
"Iraq was being bullied by Iran... we had a President who thought it was a good idea to blow up Iran, and we did," Trump remarked, referencing military strikes involving B-2 bombers. He went on to claim that relations with Baghdad had improved to the point where the Iraqi leadership was among nearly 100 nations to nominate him for a Nobel Prize.
The interaction underscores the continued vulnerability of the Kurdistan Region’s energy infrastructure despite the President's assertions of a stabilized region. As the KRG seeks concrete military assurances to deter further aggression, the White House’s commitment to reviewing the request for missile defense systems remains a pivotal development for US-Kurdish relations.
Photo: Rudaw