Exxon Mobil in no way has suspended its work in Kurdistan, Hewrami said, criticizing Baghdad officials for repeating such media statements while the company is still operating in the region.

 Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul-Kareem al-Luaibi told Arabic Sabah newspaper on Friday that the US company has suspended its work in Kurdistan fields until the issues between Erbil and Baghdad are over, AK News reported.

Exxon Mobil signed six oil contracts last year with Kurdistan. The contracts led to a strong opposition from Baghdad which deems Kurdistan is not authorized to sign contracts for its oil.