Kurdish Iranian groups in Iraq are intensifying their political activity as uncertainty grows over possible United States strikes on Iran. Leaders of these movements, based in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, say their focus remains on achieving democratic change inside Iran.
The renewed visibility of Kurdish Iranian groups in Iraq comes at a time of rising regional tension and military mobilization, which they say could reshape opportunities for opposition movements. Their statements follow years of Iranian cross‑border strikes that have targeted Kurdish opposition bases in northern Iraq.
Kurdish Iranian groups in Iraq outline goals for change
Senior commanders from PJAK and other Kurdish factions told AFP that their objective is to secure democratic transformation in Iran that guarantees Kurdish rights.
Mazloum Haftan of the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan said his group does not side with the United States or Iran, stating their goal is independent of regional conflict dynamics.
Calls for decentralised political system
Haftan said any major shift inside Iran including possible regime change would open space for Kurdish political aspirations. He added that Kurdish groups want a decentralised system after decades of monarchical and clerical rule.
He warned that if a broader war begins, Iran could again target Kurdish opposition positions in northern Iraq.
Kurdish groups step up political coordination
Five exiled Kurdish Iranian factions recently announced a coalition dedicated to ending Iran’s current political system and promoting Kurdish self-determination.
These groups have supported recent waves of anti‑government protests and have called for general strikes inside Iran. Many remain based in Iraqi Kurdistan where they continue political advocacy despite avoiding direct armed confrontation in recent years.
Background of cross‑border attacks
Iran has repeatedly accused Kurdish Iranian groups in Iraq of fueling unrest in Kurdish‑majority areas across the border.
In 2022, Iranian strikes killed members of these movements after protests erupted over the killing of Mahsa Amini while in custody. Kurdish commanders say their communities have “paid in blood” for leading demands for political freedoms in Iran.
Position of the PDKI
Mohammed Nazif Kader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan said his group does not support US or Israeli military action against Iran.
He said any large‑scale conflict could nonetheless create an opening for opposition groups to return and push for a democratic political system.
Kader said his group remains fully prepared for all forms of struggle.
Iraq‑based militias prepare for potential escalation
Separately, Iran‑aligned Iraqi groups are also preparing for a wider regional conflict. Kataeb Hezbollah called on its fighters to prepare for a long war of attrition if the US carries out strikes against Iran.
A commander in an Iranian‑backed faction told AFP that his group views Iran’s security as central to its own survival and said they would be less restrained than during previous confrontations.
Axis of resistance stance
Iran‑aligned militias including Hezbollah in Lebanon, armed factions in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen form what Tehran calls the axis of resistance.
A Hezbollah official told AFP that the group would not intervene in the event of limited US strikes but warned that any attack targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader would cross a red line.
Conclusion:
As political tensions deepen, Kurdish Iranian groups in Iraq continue to position themselves for potential shifts inside Iran. While they reject direct involvement in regional military confrontations, they see any instability as an opportunity to advance Kurdish political demands.
