US opposition to the independence referendum of Kurdistan Region will not affect the long-standing alliance between the Kurds and the United States, KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said.

Despite Washington’s open opposition to the September 25 referendum on independence, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) PM Barzani told Fox News that the people of Kurdistan still consider US as their closest ally and have hope that the US will come to endorse their ongoing dream of independence.

“There was disappointment among the Kurdish people; the people of Kurdistan have had high expectations from the United States and they believe that the values the U.S. cherishes, we also cherish,” Barzani told Fox News in an exclusive interview last week.

“But the people of Kurdistan, they still love the United States,” he said.

“Kurds consider themselves a friend and partner to the United States. We want this to continue long term,” Barzani explained.

The US, along with other international and regional powers, opposed the Kurdish vote for independence, believing that the timing of the vote was inappropriate.