US Reaches Out to Iranian Kurdish Opposition Coalition as Five Groups Unite Against Tehran

The United States is actively engaging Iranian Kurdish opposition groups following airstrikes on Iran, with President Trump reported to have spoken with Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) leader Mustafa Hijri on March 3. Five Kurdish Iranian opposition groups — the PDKI, Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), Komala, and Khabat — formed a formal coalition on February 22, pooling resources to oppose the Iranian regime. The groups, ranging from nationalist to left-wing in orientation, are based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and have long sought autonomy or democratic federal governance for Iranian Kurds. US engagement with these factions signals a potential strategy of supporting internal opposition to Tehran as Operation Epic Fury intensifies.