CIA Moves To Arm Kurdish Forces To Foment Uprising Inside Iran, Multiple Reports Say

Multiple media reports say the CIA, with backing from the Trump administration, is working to arm Iraq-based Kurdish forces to help provoke or spark an internal uprising inside Iran.

“The United States is in talks with opposition Kurdish forces in a bid to arm them and foment an uprising in Iran, according to multiple media reports, as the US-Israel war on Iran enters its fifth day”

Al Jazeera

U.S. officials have been holding active talks with Iranian opposition groups and Kurdish leaders in Iraq, though sources say it remains unclear whether any formal agreements have been reached.

Al Jazeera

CNN frames the plan as the CIA "working to arm Iranian Kurdish forces to help provoke a popular uprising inside Iran."

Al Jazeera notes "the Trump administration is in talks with opposition Kurdish forces about arming them and encouraging an uprising inside Iran."

News18 reports the effort as "secretly planning to arm Iraq-based Kurdish forces to spark an internal uprising in Iran."

Reporting describes a sizable Kurdish presence along the Iraq–Iran frontier and direct contact between U.S. leaders and Kurdish figures.

Articles say thousands of Kurdish fighters are based in Iraqi Kurdistan and positioned along the border.

Balkanweb

CNN states that Iranian Kurdish armed groups 'have thousands of fighters'.

News18 recounts the intended strategy is for 'thousands of Kurdish fighters along the Iraq–Iran border'.

Qoo10.co.id and Balkanweb note that 'President Trump spoke with Mustafa Hijri' or 'reportedly spoke by phone with KDPI leader Mustafa Hijri'.

Sources outline a specific operational idea in which Kurdish fighters would engage and pin down Iranian security forces along the border to create space for unarmed civilians inside Iran to demonstrate.

“Several media outlets in the U”

breitbart

The concept envisages air power from the U.S. and Israel striking from above while those demonstrations occur.

News18 summarizes the concept as creating "space for unarmed civilians in Iranian cities to protest without being crushed—while US and Israeli airstrikes continue from above."

CNN describes the CIA effort to arm Kurdish forces.

Qoo10.co.id says discussions envision "delivering military support to foment a popular revolt."

Lamilano adds that Israeli strikes on border outposts have been reported, suggesting preparatory steps on the ground.

The reporting highlights skepticism and potential risks.

Critics warn backing Kurdish forces could undermine Iraqi sovereignty and empower unaccountable militias.

KOHA.net

US intelligence reportedly doubts Iranian Kurds have the resources for a successful uprising.

Kurdish parties are said to be seeking political guarantees from Washington before committing.

Lamilano quotes a critic saying such moves 'risk undermining Iraqi sovereignty and empowering unaccountable militias'.

Lamilano adds that 'US intelligence assesses Iranian Kurds lack the resources for an uprising, and Kurdish parties are seeking political guarantees from the Trump administration'.

Al Jazeera similarly notes uncertainty about whether any deals have been finalized.

The situation is unfolding amid active Iranian retaliation.

“The United States Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA, is working to arm Kurdish forces with the aim of fomenting a popular uprising in Iran, several people familiar with the plan have told CNN”

KOHA.net

Reports say Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been striking Kurdish groups, including with drone campaigns that have targeted organizations such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI).

lamilano.it

CNN reports the IRGC "has been striking Kurdish groups and reportedly targeted them with dozens of drones."

Qoo10.co.id says "the IRGC has responded with drone strikes on Kurdish positions."

Balkanweb records that the IRGC "has been attacking Kurdish groups — including a reported drone strike campaign — and has targeted organizations such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI)."

Al Jazeera situates these developments in the broader conflict, noting the reporting comes "as the US–Israel conflict with Iran entered its fifth day."