As the geopolitical landscape evolves with potential military actions from the U.S. against Iran, Iraqi Kurds find themselves facing a crucial dilemma regarding their relationship with Iran and the activities of Kurdish anti-regime groups.
Historical Ties between Iraq’s Kurds and Iran and Current Dynamics
The relationship between Iraq’s Kurds and Iran is deeply rooted, with Kurdish groups remembering Iran’s crucial support during Saddam Hussein’s regime. Despite political rivalries, Kurdish leaders recognize the value of Iran’s past assistance. Anti-regime Kurdish factions have long been present in Iraqi Kurdistan, posing challenges for the regional government and complicating relations with Iran. Tehran has consistently demanded that these factions refrain from attacking Iran from Kurdish territories, a call that has become even more pressing amid recent regional tensions.
Iraqi Kurdistan’s Response to Iranian Threats
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is taking Iran’s threats seriously, considering them from three critical perspectives:
1. Historical and Strategic Alliances: The necessity for good neighborly relations is underscored by the historical ties that bind the two.
2. Uncertain Outcomes: There is a growing ambiguity regarding the potential outcomes of the conflict, contrasting initial assumptions of Tehran’s imminent defeat.
3. Iran’s Enhanced Credibility: Heightened Iranian military actions in the region have added weight to its threats concerning attacks on Kurdish infrastructure.
Overall, the strategic calculations of Iraqi Kurds will be pivotal in shaping their future relations with Iran amidst the unfolding conflict in the region.
This policy note is written by Tehran International Studies & Research Institute in 2026.
To read more, download full paper
