Kurds, Trump and a Fragmented Iran: A New Chessboard
Middle East Tensions: US and Israel’s Role in Kurdish Militancy
The United States and Israel appear to be reshaping the Middle East by encouraging Kurdish fighters in Iran to spark conflict that could split the nation. The plan, if it exists, would aim to weaken Tehran’s grip and create a power vacuum that the Kurds might try to fill.
In recent reports, Trump’s administration and Prime Minister Netanyahu have reportedly supplied arms and support to Kurdish groups on Iran’s northwestern border. American air strikes against Iranian Revolutionary Guard positions have opened routes for these militias, suggesting a coordinated effort to destabilize the regime.
The Kurds have long sought an independent state, but their population is spread across Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Armenia and Iran. In Iran they represent only about 10 % of the population, mostly Shia Muslims, and are unlikely to sustain long‑term control even if they manage a brief victory.
Historically, Kurdish forces have been allies in conflicts such as the Gulf War and the fight against ISIS. Yet past U.S. presidents have abandoned them, most notably when Trump withdrew troops from Syria in 2019, leaving Kurdish defenders exposed to Turkish attacks. The memory of such betrayals makes many Kurds wary of relying on U.S. backing for future campaigns.
Turkey’s President Erdoğan has repeatedly threatened to crush Kurdish militias that operate across the border, citing concerns about separatist movements. The Turkish government’s aggression, combined with Iranian missile strikes on Kurdish bases in Iraq, has drawn the region into a wider spiral of violence.
Trump’s public statements about “appointing” Iran’s supreme leader echo a similar claim made during the Venezuela crisis, implying a desire to dictate outcomes abroad. This rhetoric fuels speculation that he sees Iran’s future as a game piece for his geopolitical ambitions, regardless of the human cost.
If Kurdish forces were to seize key Iranian territories, they would face not only military resistance but also internal divisions and the possibility of Turkish retaliation. Even with U.S. support, the lack of guarantees for Kurdish sovereignty limits the appeal of an uprising that could destabilize a fragile region.
In short, the alleged plan to empower Kurdish militias in Iran may backfire by igniting a broader conflict that hurts civilians, deepens sectarian divides, and further isolates the United States on the world stage. The outcome remains uncertain, but the risks are clear.
