Iran Kurdish leader demands guarantees for ‘political existence’ before joining war

QANDIL MOUNTAINS, IRAQ: A senior Kurdish leader has said armed Kurdish groups will not rush into the war involving Iran unless their long-standing political demands are taken seriously.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, Fuad Beritan of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) made it clear that Kurdish organisations are more concerned about political guarantees than battlefield calculations.

The remarks come as the conflict surrounding Iran continues to grow in intensity. Reports have suggested that President Donald Trump had explored the possibility of encouraging Kurdish fighters to open another front against Tehran from Iran’s western regions.

Fuad Beritan says Kurds seek political guarantees

Beritan stressed that Kurdish groups are looking beyond the immediate military situation and thinking about what comes after the conflict.

“The real question is whether entering a war would bring us closer to that goal,” he said, referring to Kurdish aspirations for greater political rights and recognition.

According to him, Kurdish organisations want concrete guarantees before taking such a step.

“Rather than focusing on military conditions, we are seeking guarantees for our political existence and the realisation of our political objectives,” Beritan said.

For many Kurdish groups, the issue is not simply about defeating an adversary. Instead, it is about ensuring that any political change inside Iran does not once again leave Kurdish communities without meaningful representation or autonomy.

Beritan said Kurdish organisations want to avoid repeating historical situations in which major political changes occurred in the region but Kurdish demands were sidelined.

Trump explored Kurdish front against Iran

The debate over Kurdish participation intensified after reports suggested the Trump administration had considered encouraging Kurdish fighters to apply pressure on Tehran.

According to reporting cited in the discussion, Trump had offered “extensive US air cover” to anti-regime Kurdish groups if they agreed to seize territory in western Iran.

The proposal reportedly asked Kurdish fighters to choose sides “either with America and Israel or with Iran.”

However, the plan did not appear to move forward. Within days, Trump stepped back from the idea and suggested that the conflict was already complicated enough without drawing Kurdish forces into it.

Opposition from Turkey and leaders in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq also played a role in the shift. Following those concerns, the idea of Kurdish military involvement was reportedly ruled out.

For Kurdish groups themselves, the situation remains delicate. While the possibility of political change in Iran may appear significant, leaders remain wary about being drawn into a larger geopolitical struggle.

Kurdish groups warn they are ready for war

While stressing that PJAK does not want to initiate a war, Beritan made it clear that the organisation is preparing for different possibilities if the situation inside Iran changes dramatically.

“We are prepared to face any scenario in which, during a fundamental transformation in Iran, Kurdish rights might once again be denied,” he said.

“If war is imposed on us, we will defend ourselves with all our strength,” Beritan added. He also revealed that the group already maintains a strong presence within Iranian Kurdistan itself, meaning it would not necessarily need to send additional fighters across the border if tensions escalate.

“A large portion of our forces have been stationed deep inside Iranian Kurdistan for many years,” he said. At the same time, Beritan suggested Kurdish movements remain cautious about depending on international powers.

“We have no illusions about any power in the world,” he said. “Naturally, every country pursues its own projects and interests. We Kurds also pursue our own struggle and the freedom of our people.”