The United States is reportedly working with Kurdish groups to increase pressure on Iran, as tensions in the region continue to rise. According to reports, the Trump administration has been in discussions with Iranian Kurdish organisations and leaders from Iraqi Kurdistan about possible military assistance, with a potential ground operation being considered in the coming days.
The strategy is believed to involve Kurdish forces operating in northern Iran to stretch Iranian security resources, potentially enabling protests to intensify or allowing Kurdish groups to gain control of parts of the region. Such a development could create a buffer zone near Israel. Reports also suggest that weapons have been smuggled into western Iran to arm Kurdish volunteers, while U.S. and Israeli strikes have targeted border outposts along the Iraq frontier.
However, U.S. intelligence assessments indicate that Iranian Kurdish groups may not currently have the influence or resources needed to sustain a large-scale uprising. Kurdish political factions are also seeking firm political assurances from Washington before committing their forces.
The Kurds, spread across Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, are the world’s largest ethnic group without an independent state. Kurdish leaders have previously expressed concern about being used as strategic partners and later abandoned by international allies, particularly following their role in the fight against ISIS.