'I will remember that, Kurds': Trump reveals failed effort to deliver arms to Iranian opposition

US-Iran tensions escalated after Trump said Iran downed a US Apache near the Strait of Hormuz and vowed retaliation despite ongoing talks
President Donald Trump said the US had supplied weapons to the Kurds, but they allegedly kept the arms instead of distributing them as intended (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump said the US had supplied weapons to the Kurds, but they allegedly kept the arms instead of distributing them as intended (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump, in his latest statement on Iran on Thursday, June 11, revealed that the US had tried to deliver arms to Iran, but the regional ally, the Kurds, let America down.

The conflict between the US and Iran flared up again after Trump said Iran had downed a US Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The president vowed to respond to the attack despite ongoing efforts to negotiate a long-term deal with Iran.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 22: U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the final presidential debate against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at Belmont University on October 22, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. This is the last debate between the two candidates before the election on November 3. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump participates in the final presidential debate against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at Belmont University on October 22, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Trump criticized Kurds over alleged arms hoarding

Trump’s statement came during his appearance on an on-air interview with Fox & Friends, in which he said that the US had delivered weapons to the Kurds, a regional opposition to Iran, but, as per Trump, they didn't distribute the weapons and kept them to themselves.

"The Kurds let us down," Trump said. "But I'll remember that, Kurds."

Trump further said that he was not in favor of the plan as he suspected that the Kurds would “keep the weapons.”

Members of the Iranian-American community and supporters march in celebration on February 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel had launched an attack on Iran Saturday morning. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Members of the Iranian-American community and supporters march in celebration on February 28, 2026, in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Trump announces more strikes on Iran

After it was confirmed that the helicopter had been shot down by Iran rather than lost in an accident, Trump vowed to retaliate.

President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed that the US would continue its strikes against Iran as the peace deal appears to have reached a deadlock once again.

"The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT," Trump warned.



Trump also indicated that the US may consider taking control of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. The island processes more than 90% of Iran’s oil exports, and Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize or “obliterate” it if Tehran refuses to agree to a deal.

The US has previously carried out airstrikes on Kharg Island, but no action has been taken to seize it.

In this satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC, Iran's Kharg Island is seen on Feb. 26, 2026. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
In this satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC, Iran's Kharg Island is seen on February 26, 2026 (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

"At some point in the not-too-distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America," he wrote.

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