What happens if Iranian Kurdish groups enter the conflict?

About this episode

The episode discusses the potential involvement of Iranian Kurdish groups in the ongoing conflict and the implications of US support.

Conflicting reports have circulated in recent days about Iranian Kurdish groups possibly being armed by the US to launch a ground offensive in Iran. Many of these factions have long been exiled to the Kurdistan region of Iraq near Iran's north-western border and have felt oppressed by the regime. The US-Israeli war has already killed many of Tehran’s top political and military leaders, presenting the opposition Kurdish groups with a window of opportunity, if they do decide to take action. But the question is, would Washington back them and with what guarantees? Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington’s objectives are not centred on arming any particular group. But President Donald Trump said a Kurdish ground offensive would be “wonderful” without confirming whether or not the US would support it. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, guest host Ban Barkawi looks at the possibility and risks of Iranian Kurds entering the conflict. We hear from The National’s correspondent Lizzie Porter and HA Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies.

People in this episode

Host: Ban Barkawi

Guests: Lizzie Porter, HA Hellyer

Topics covered

• Iranian Kurdish groups
• US involvement
• ground offensive
• political conflict
• Kurdistan region
• military strategy

Keywords

• Iran
• Kurdish groups
• US support
• ground offensive
• political leaders
• military conflict
• Kurdistan
• Donald Trump
• Pete Hegseth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The National, Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies

Places: Iran, Iraq, Tehran

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