A statement made by the US State Department spokesman Heather Nauert on the referendum held in Iraqi Kurdistan Region. “Deeply disappointed,” said in the statement and also added, “But we believe this step will increase instability and hardships for the Kurdistan region and its people”.

“The United States is deeply disappointed that the Kurdistan Regional Government decided to conduct today a unilateral referendum on independence, including in areas outside of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The United States' historic relationship with the people of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region will not change in light of today's non-binding referendum, but we believe this step will increase instability and hardships for the Kurdistan region and its people,” said Nauert in the statement.

The United States supports a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq and will continue to seek opportunities to assist Iraqis to fulfill their aspirations within the framework of the constitution,” said at the end of the statement.

ILKHA