Baghdad: Independent Kurdish politician Mahmoud Othman confirmed that "the problems between Baghdad and Erbil have become more complex," noting that "there are no solutions on the horizon."

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Othman stated that direct talks between the two sides have been stalled for some time. The ongoing crisis over salaries for Kurdistan Region employees and the unresolved issue of oil exports and revenues have contributed to the impasse. Recently, a new problem emerged when the Kurdistan Region concluded two oil and gas production contracts with American companies, drawing objections from the federal government. Othman explained that these issues have deepened the complexity of the problems.

He further highlighted that the issues are not confined to just Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. Internal disputes persist among parties within the Kurdistan Region over government formation, despite regional elections having been held several months ago. The primary contention among Kurdish parties concerns government positions in the upcoming regional government.

Othman emphasized the absence of a third party to mediate the problems between Baghdad and Erbil, as well as among Kurdish parties. He noted that with the Middle East on the brink of significant upheaval, particularly if negotiations between the United States and Iran fail, Iraq and its challenges are deemed secondary to these major players.