Washington – The Trump administration is actively engaging with Kurdish forces in Iraq and Iran, exploring the possibility of arming them to potentially destabilize the Iranian regime, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. This move comes as tensions escalate following recent U.S. And Israeli actions in Iran and as Iranian Kurdish groups prepare for potential cross-border operations.
The effort, which began several months prior to the recent escalation, aims to foment a popular uprising within Iran, capitalizing on existing discontent and the organizational capabilities of Kurdish opposition groups. President Trump reportedly spoke directly with leaders of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) on Sunday to discuss potential support, according to reports. The administration is also in communication with Iranian opposition groups, seeking to coordinate a multi-pronged approach to increasing pressure on Tehran.
CIA Involvement and Kurdish Preparations
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is playing a central role in coordinating support for Kurdish forces, with the goal of sparking an uprising in Iran. Multiple sources confirm the agency is working to arm Kurdish groups operating along the Iraq-Iran border, primarily within Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Several of these groups have publicly hinted at imminent action and urged defections from the Iranian military, signaling their readiness to engage. The timing of a potential ground operation in Western Iran is considered favorable by Kurdish militias, who anticipate support from the U.S. And Israel, one source stated.
Iranian Kurdish armed groups are believed to have thousands of trained fighters, making them a potentially significant force in any conflict. Khalil Nadiri, an official with the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), stated that some of their forces have moved closer to the Iranian border in Sulaymaniyah province and are on standby. These groups have claimed responsibility for previous attacks on Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, retaliating against Tehran’s crackdown on protests.
U.S. Response and Potential Risks
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed reports of the Trump administration considering arming Iranian Kurdish groups, stating that U.S. Objectives are “not premised on the support or the arming of any particular force.” However, he acknowledged awareness of what other entities may be doing. This statement comes amid a broader U.S. Military campaign in Iran following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by Israel and the U.S. On Saturday.
The potential involvement of Kurdish forces introduces a new dimension to the conflict, raising concerns about escalating the situation and potentially drawing Iraq further into the fray. Experts caution that supporting Kurdish groups could have unintended consequences, given the complex geopolitical landscape of the region. The move also carries historical weight, as past U.S. Involvement with Kurdish groups has been met with mixed results.
Recent Developments and Official Statements
On Tuesday, President Trump spoke with Mustafa Hijri, the president of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI), a group recently targeted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC has been actively striking Kurdish groups, claiming to have targeted them with dozens of drones. The KDPI is expected to participate in a ground operation in Western Iran in the coming days.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump has been in contact with allies and partners in the region, including Kurdish leaders in Iraq, but stated that no agreement has yet been reached regarding a plan to arm Kurdish forces. She clarified that the discussions were related to the U.S. Military base in northern Iraq.
The U.S. Has not ruled out sending ground troops into Iran, according to President Trump, who has identified several individuals within the Iranian regime as potential targets.
What comes next remains uncertain, but the administration’s engagement with Kurdish forces signals a willingness to explore unconventional strategies to increase pressure on Iran. The potential for a broader regional conflict remains high, and the role of Kurdish groups will be a key factor in shaping the future trajectory of the crisis.
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