Iranian Kurdish opposition groups stand poised for action against Tehran, yet a crucial pause defines their current strategy. They are closely monitoring the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, carefully assessing the optimal moment to engage.
Khalid Azizi, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI), revealed the delicate balance his forces maintain. While prepared to challenge the regime, a ground offensive remains off the table for now, pending further developments in the wider regional war.
Whispers circulate regarding a direct communication between former President Donald Trump and Mustafa Hijri, the KDPI leader, hinting at Washington’s exploration of Kurdish involvement in applying pressure on Iran. Azizi neither confirmed nor denied the conversation, maintaining a strategic ambiguity.
Azizi carries the scars of Iran’s aggression firsthand. In 2018, a devastating ballistic missile attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted KDPI headquarters in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region during a leadership meeting, claiming the lives of at least 18 people and leaving dozens wounded – including Azizi himself.
“We have been targeted by the Islamic Republic,” Azizi stated, his voice resonating with the weight of experience. “The first Iranian missile landed near my headquarters, and I was personally injured in that attack.” Despite the inherent dangers, the Kurdish resistance endures, forged over decades of struggle.
The strength of the movement stems from its deep roots. “The Iranian Kurdish resistance movement is very strong because we have been on the ground since the Iranian revolution,” Azizi emphasized, highlighting the enduring commitment of his people.
Currently in Washington, D.C., Kurdish representatives are engaged in critical discussions with policymakers and institutions. These meetings focus on the evolving situation in Iran and the potential role Kurdish groups could assume should the conflict escalate.
Despite their readiness, Kurdish groups are adopting a wait-and-see approach. “We are ready and our party is well organized,” Azizi affirmed, “But right now we do not have any intention to enter Iranian Kurdistan because the ground forces in this war have not been a topic.”
Azizi offered a sobering perspective on the complexities of conflict. “It’s very easy to start a war,” he cautioned, “But it will be more complicated how to end this war.” This underscores the careful consideration guiding their actions.
The KDPI, a veteran of the struggle against Iran’s Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution, operates from bases in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and is a member of the Socialist International. Their long history informs their current strategic posture.
A recent and significant development is the formation of a unified alliance among Kurdish political movements. This coalition, known as the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, aims to coordinate their political strategy, a move welcomed by both the Kurdish population and other Iranian opposition groups.
Ultimately, Azizi believes the fate of Iran rests with its own people. “If you look at the goal of the United States and Israel in this war, they have been targeting the Iranian military, security and political institutions. In this aspect Iran has been weakened,” he observed.
However, he stressed the regime’s continued grip on power. “But the regime still remains in power because people are not on the streets and there is no alternative right now to replace this regime.” This highlights the need for a catalyst for change within Iran itself.
Azizi urged Western governments to broaden their focus beyond military action, advocating for support for Iranian opposition movements in coordinating their political efforts. A comprehensive approach, he argues, is essential for lasting change.
Iran’s future stability, he contends, hinges on recognizing its multi-ethnic character and building a democratic system that embraces all its communities. “The path and the roadmap for rebuilding Iran must be based on the participation of all ethnic groups,” Azizi stated firmly. “Iran is a multi-ethnic society.”
For now, Kurdish fighters remain strategically positioned, prepared to act but exercising restraint. “We have the ability and we have the capacity,” Azizi concluded, “But it is not easy right now for us to make any decision regarding entering Iranian Kurdistan.”
