Iraq's Kurdish Deputy PM Calls for Peace Amid Regional Tensions, Denies US-Backed Iran Invasion Plan

The Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, has stated that deploying Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups from Iraq was never part of the United States' battle plan in Iran. Speaking to The National, Talabani suggested that the current moment is opportune for initiating a peace process between these factions and Tehran, drawing a parallel to an armistice observed in Turkey.

Amidst reports at the height of the Iran war concerning potential US-backed efforts to involve exiled opposition groups in a campaign against Tehran, and following public statements by US President Donald Trump about supplying weapons to Kurdish groups, Talabani clarified the US position. "There was never a plan by the United States to send Iranian opposition groups into Iran. That was made very clear to us very early on in this conflict. And we made it very clear to the Iranians as well that there was never a plan for the US to do this," he asserted.

Talabani expressed uncertainty regarding Trump's remarks in May about being "disappointed" with the Kurds and mentioning supplied weapons. "The mysterious weapons that President Trump was talking about, I have no idea what these weapons were, where they were, who they were given to," he stated. "I know they were not given to me. I know they were not given to us. I think whoever gave the weapons knows who they gave the weapons to."

Kurdish officials have strived to remain neutral in the conflict between the US and Iran, concerned that such reports could incite further Iranian strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan. Talabani confirmed that the Kurdistan Region had communicated this stance to both Tehran and Washington, while also cautioning the opposition groups against involvement. "We made it very clear to the Iranian opposition groups that they should not be using the Kurdistan Region as any launch pad against Iranian territory. And thankfully, they didn’t."

Regarding a recent statement by Iran's ambassador to Baghdad about an agreement to expel or hand over Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, Talabani did not confirm a plan but highlighted diplomatic avenues. He pointed to the peace process between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a potential model for resolving tensions between Tehran and the opposition groups. "I believe that as we're looking to build peace, whether it's between the US and Iran, whether it's between Iran and the Gulf, as we seek to build peace, there's also an opportunity here to create a lasting peace between the authorities in Iran and the Iranian opposition groups," he said.

The Kurdistan Regional Government has supported the Turkey-PKK peace process, offering encouragement and logistical assistance, though Talabani stressed the need for party-led initiatives. He also encouraged the Syrian Democratic Forces to engage politically with Damascus rather than rely on military solutions, drawing a parallel to the Iraqi Kurds' post-2003 experience of securing rights through engagement with the central government in Baghdad.

Talabani acknowledged that these processes are complex and time-consuming, advising all parties to remain focused and avoid distractions. "We've had too much conflict, we've had too much chaos. It's time for peace now," he concluded.

The article also touches upon the ongoing security challenges, including over 1,000 Iranian drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region since February 28. Talabani criticized attacks launched from Iraq against neighboring countries, particularly the UAE, and called for Iran-backed armed groups to be brought under state control. He expressed confidence in the Iraqi government's efforts to disarm these groups and emphasized the importance of Kurdish involvement in Baghdad's political decision-making to influence security policy.

Furthermore, Talabani discussed the Kurdistan Region's efforts to expand economic ties with the UAE, focusing on partnerships in start-ups, technology, infrastructure, clean energy, and innovation. He also addressed the two-year delay in forming a new Kurdistan Regional Government due to political deadlock between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, expressing embarrassment but hope for a more effective future government.

The presence of Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups, border security, and narcotics trafficking were identified as key security challenges. Talabani mentioned collaborations with international partners to combat organized crime, noting the overlap between people-smuggling and money-laundering networks. The Kurdistan Region's role as a hub for people-smuggling networks and efforts by the KRG to crack down on these gangs with the UK and France were also highlighted.