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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s foreign ministry on Friday dismissed recent US statements regarding Kurdish groups as a sign of “desperation,” as diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington remain deadlocked despite ongoing indirect negotiations.
US President Donald Trump claimed in early April that his administration had attempted to funnel weapons to anti-government protesters in Iran through Kurdish groups, but that the weapons were allegedly kept by the groups instead. Trump did not name a specific Kurdish faction.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told state media Friday during a visit to Sanandaj, a majority-Kurdish city in western Iran, that statements made by the US are a sign of “desperation and a lack of understanding of the people of Iran,” and that the “enemy will resort to any conspiracy to achieve its illegitimate ambitions and goals.”
Several Iranian Kurdish opposition groups denied the allegations in April, rejecting reports that the US had armed them during the nationwide January protests. In early March, the group also denied reports by international media claiming their fighters had crossed into Iran to fight Tehran amid the US-Israel military campaign against the Islamic republic.
“We have never paid any attention to the comments of foreigners about our compatriots; we know how Iranians - including Kurds, Lurs, Turks, Balochs, and Persians - love their homeland,” Baghaei said.
However, days before the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran began in late February, several Kurdish opposition parties announced a new political alliance aimed at unifying efforts against Tehran and advancing Kurdish self-determination.
The remarks come amid continued Iranian attacks on Kurdish opposition groups since the regional conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran erupted on February 28. Despite a ceasefire reached on April 8, Iranian drone and missile strikes have repeatedly targeted Kurdish opposition camps.
A US defense official told Rudaw on Monday that reports alleging Kurdish groups diverted weapons intended for anti-government protesters in Iran are “false,” contradicting Trump's claims.
Trump told Rudaw on Tuesday that the “officials are wrong” when asked about the defense official’s statement.
Meanwhile, efforts between Washington and Tehran to reach a permanent agreement have stalled due to continued disagreements over key issues.