WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani about recent attacks on energy infrastructure in Iraq, including facilities operated by US companies, the State Department said Tuesday.

Rubio stressed the importance of the Iraqi government holding the perpetrators accountable and preventing future attacks, spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

"The Secretary noted the importance of paying Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) salaries consistently and resuming oil exports via the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline," Bruce said.

Rubio also reiterated "serious U.S. concerns" with the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) bill currently pending in the Council of Representatives (COR), emphasizing that "any such legislation would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq’s sovereignty," she added.