Trump tells Kurdish leaders they must choose between U.S. and Iran – Washington Post

Donald Trump has privately urged Kurdish leaders in Iraq and Iran to choose between the United States and Iran as tensions escalate in the Middle East, according to a report by The Washington Post. The reported message comes as the conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran intensifies.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, Trump has held a series of phone calls with Kurdish political and military leaders in recent days. During those conversations, he reportedly told them they “cannot sit on the fence” and must decide whether they stand with Washington or with Tehran.

The outreach is part of growing interest inside the White House in potentially using Kurdish forces as a ground component to support U.S. and Israeli military pressure on Iran. Kurdish groups control strategic areas along the Iran-Iraq border and have connections with Kurdish communities inside Iran.

U.S. officials and analysts say those networks could be valuable if Washington decides to increase pressure on Tehran or support efforts aimed at weakening the Iranian government. However, Kurdish leaders remain cautious about being drawn into a wider regional conflict.

Many Kurdish groups remain skeptical due to past experiences in which U.S. backing was later withdrawn after they had taken major risks. Some Iranian Kurdish opposition groups are reportedly seeking firm political guarantees and long-term protection before agreeing to any major operation against Tehran.

Analysts warn that forcing Kurdish factions to openly side with Washington could provoke retaliation from Iran and worsen tensions with regional powers such as Turkey, which considers several Kurdish groups to be terrorist organizations. The situation adds another layer of uncertainty as Washington debates its next steps in the escalating conflict with Iran.