US Shifts Stance on Kurdish Role in Iran Conflict

Recent developments reveal a fluctuating US strategy regarding the potential involvement of Kurdish forces in the escalating conflict with Iran. Initial signals of support, including discussions with Kurdish leaders about potential US air cover and logistical assistance for cross-border operations, have been tempered by a reversal from President Donald Trump, who now seeks to avoid further complicating the situation.

Initial US Support and Kurdish Readiness

Last week, President Trump reportedly discussed with Iraqi and Iranian Kurdish leaders the possibility of providing “extensive US aircover” and logistical support to enable armed groups to cross the border from Iraq into Iran. The message conveyed, according to sources, was a call for Kurds to align with the US and Israel against Iran.¹

Despite this initial encouragement, the plan appears to have stalled. Abdullah Mohtadi, secretary general of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, stated that whereas “several thousand” fighters (peshmergas) are stationed in Iraq and “tens of thousands” more in Iranian Kurdistan are prepared to take up arms, a successful operation hinges on weakening the Iranian regime sufficiently to allow for a popular uprising.¹ Mohtadi emphasized that Kurdish forces have not yet crossed the border but maintain a “defensive position” in Iraq, facing constant attacks from Iranian drones and missiles.¹

Shifting US Policy and Regional Concerns

Over the weekend, President Trump announced a change in policy, stating, “We don’t want to make the war any more complex than it already is. I have ruled that out, I don’t want the Kurds going in.”¹ The reasons behind this shift remain unclear, potentially stemming from doubts about Kurdish military capabilities, concerns about internal chaos within Iran, or pressure from regional allies like Turkey, who are wary of Kurdish nationalism.¹

Historical US-Kurdish Relations: A Complex Past

The US relationship with Kurdish groups has been historically fraught with inconsistency. Past instances, such as the 1970s when US support for Kurds was withdrawn leading to a massacre, and during the first Gulf War when Kurds were encouraged to rise up without adequate backing, have fostered a sense of caution.¹ More recently, the US partnered with Syrian Kurds against ISIS, only to later urge them to integrate into Syrian security forces, effectively ending their semi-independent status.¹

Syrian Kurds have cautioned their Iranian counterparts against relying on US support, citing the potential for abandonment when geopolitical interests shift.³

Kurdish Aims and Regional Stability

Mohtadi clarified that the objective of any potential offensive would not be to establish an independent Kurdish state, but rather to ensure safety and security in their region and to advocate for a “democratic, secular, unified Iran” that respects the rights of ethnic minorities through a federal system.¹ He also argued that the Iranian regime, not Kurdish groups, is the primary source of instability in the region.¹

Current Situation and Future Outlook

As of now, the US has not committed to providing substantial support for a Kurdish offensive in Iran. The situation remains fluid, and the future role of Kurdish forces in the conflict remains uncertain. Mohtadi believes the current weakness of the Iranian regime presents a “unique opportunity” for change in the Middle East, but the path forward is fraught with challenges.¹

¹ AP News. “A glance at the Kurds and their relationships in the Middle East.” https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-kurds-trump-iraq-turkey-c97d75e59e640b627144ec796f48772e

³ Al Jazeera. “Is the CIA planning to arm Kurdish forces to spark an uprising in Iran.” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/4/is-the-cia-planning-to-arm-kurdish-forces-to-spark-an-uprising-in-iran