Pentagon Tells Iraqi Kurdish Leaders It Will Not Renew Peshmerga Aid Pact

Pentagon officials told Iraqi and Kurdish leaders in recent meetings that the United States plans not to renew a direct security-assistance memorandum with the Peshmerga, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the talks. The pact expires September 30, when remaining coalition troops are scheduled to leave Iraq and the U.S. base in Irbil is due to close. An official U.S. budget table lists $61,014,940 for Peshmerga training and equipment in FY2026 and $0 for FY2027. One source said the final security-engagement decision remains under review and Washington is considering ways to preserve some support after the withdrawal.