Trump Blocks Kurdish Forces From Entering Iran Conflict Zone

By: Shawn
‎President Donald Trump said he has instructed Kurdish forces not to participate in the war involving Iran, as the United States and Israel continue carrying out strikes on Tehran.
‎
‎Speaking aboard Air Force One on Saturday while returning to Florida, Trump said he had personally ruled out Kurdish participation. The president had been traveling after attending a military service honoring six fallen American soldiers.
‎
Donald Trump says he told Kurdish forces not to join the war with Iran as US and Israeli strikes hit Tehran, warning their involvement would complicate the conflict.
‎Ethan Swope/Getty Images
‎
‎Trump explained that although the United States maintains friendly ties with Kurdish groups, bringing them into the war could complicate an already tense situation.
‎
‎“We’re very friendly with the Kurds, as you know, but we don’t want to make the war any more complex than it already is,” Trump said. “I have ruled that out, I don’t want the Kurds going in.”
‎
‎According to Trump, Kurdish leaders indicated they were willing to enter the conflict. Despite that offer, he said he made it clear he did not want them involved.
‎
‎Israel’s military had reportedly explored creating conditions that would allow Kurdish forces to position themselves in northwestern Iran. The broader objective was to encourage Kurdish groups to launch an armed uprising against the Iranian government.
‎
‎Meanwhile, airstrikes have struck Iranian military and law enforcement positions in Kurdish-populated areas near northern Iraq. The region borders territory where US air protection in 1991 helped pave the way for the creation of a semi-autonomous Kurdish administration in Erbil.
‎
‎For years, the United States and its partners have relied on Kurdish groups in nearby conflict zones. The Kurds are widely recognized as the largest ethnic group in the world without an independent state.
‎
‎However, Kurdish participation in the war against Iran could carry broader consequences. A person familiar with the thinking of Iraqi Kurdish leaders said they remain hesitant to become directly involved.
‎
‎Iranian officials have also warned against Kurdish movements operating near its borders. On Thursday, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Iran had already conducted strikes against Kurdish groups in Iraq and stressed that the country would not tolerate separatist activity.
‎
‎Turkey also voiced concern, saying organizations promoting Kurdish separatism pose a threat to regional stability and could undermine the territorial integrity of neighboring nations.
‎
‎Although certain Kurdish factions are preparing for possible cross-border operations into Iran, Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, founding president of the Middle East Research Institute in Erbil, said the groups remain divided. He noted that while they could apply pressure along Iran’s borders, they currently lack the strength needed to confront the Iranian state directly.

TRENDING!

President Donald Trump Displays Visible Neck Rash at White House Medal of Honor Event

Image
‎President Donald Trump appeared to show signs of a fresh physical issue alongside the hand bruise that has lingered in recent appearances — a prominent rash across his neck. ‎ ‎President Donald Trump was seen with a noticeable neck rash during a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Monday. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎The skin irritation was clearly visible on Monday as he took part in a Medal of Honor presentation held in the East Room of the White House. Observers could see the affected area beginning just behind his right ear. ‎ ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎From there, the breakout traced a path downward along his neckline, extending past the collar of his shirt. The marks were noticeable throughout the ceremony.
Read more

How the CIA Tracked Iran’s Supreme Leader for Months, Allowing the Decisive Strike That Killed Him

Image
‎What could have been handled behind closed doors instead ended in a devastating military strike. ‎ ‎For months, the United States and Israel closely followed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, ultimately identifying a rare opportunity: a major gathering of Islamic Republic security officials at his compound in Tehran. ‎ ‎US and Israeli forces launched a surprise daylight strike in Tehran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior Iranian officials. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎On Saturday morning, Israeli fighter jets carried out broad daylight airstrikes, reducing parts of the compound to rubble. The operation resulted in the death of Khamenei, dozens of senior officials, and three members of his family. ‎ ‎According to a report by The New York Times, citing anonymous sources, the CIA had spent considerable time studying the 86-year-old leader’s movements and habits. Newly acquired intelligence revealed details of the high-level meeting in central Tehran. Officials descri...
Read more

Energy Crisis Warning: Iran Conflict Could Send Global Economies Into Decline

Image
‎The ongoing war in Iran shows little indication of easing, raising concerns that the conflict could stretch on and destabilize the wider Middle East while placing additional pressure on the global economy. ‎ ‎As the fighting reaches the end of its first week, governments across the region are assessing the immediate damage and considering how the situation might develop. The Middle East has long been central to global oil and gas supply, but the conflict is already disrupting that role. Tankers are unable to move through hazardous waters while missiles cross the skies, some aimed at key energy infrastructure. Officials warn that prolonged fighting could deepen the economic consequences worldwide. ‎ ‎The Iran war is disrupting global oil and LNG flows as tanker traffic halts and energy facilities face attacks, raising fears of inflation, supply shortages, and economic slowdown. ‎Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images ‎ ‎Saad al-Kaabi, Qatar’s energy minister and head o...
Read more

U.S. Spends $1 Trillion on War on Drugs as Cartel Violence and Drug Use Surge

Image
‎More than five decades after the United States launched its War on Drugs, illicit substances remain widespread and cartel violence continues to destabilize Mexico. Despite investing over $1 trillion since 1971, narcotics trafficking networks remain resilient, and drug consumption has expanded both domestically and worldwide. ‎ ‎After $1 trillion spent on the War on Drugs, cartel violence and drug use persist. El Mencho’s death underscores ongoing U.S.-Mexico narcotics challenges. ‎Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu/Getty Images ‎ ‎The campaign began when Richard Nixon labeled drugs “public enemy No. 1.” At the time, annual federal counter-drug funding totaled about $100 million. By contrast, in the final year of Joe Biden’s presidency, the requested drug control budget for fiscal year 2025 reached $44.5 billion. Over time, spending has encompassed DEA operations, border monitoring, public awareness programs, and foreign assistance across Latin America. ‎ ‎Yet one major benchmark has ...
Read more

Supreme Court Tariff Ruling Could Force U.S. Treasury to Borrow $1.6 Trillion, CBO Says

Image
‎A recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States may significantly reshape federal finances after striking down many tariffs introduced during the second administration of Donald Trump in 2025. ‎ ‎The ruling, delivered late last month, invalidated a large portion of those duties, leaving a notable shortfall in government revenue. The administration had expected tariffs to bring in roughly $300 billion annually, funds that were intended to support several initiatives, including tariff rebate payments and corporate tax deductions outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. ‎ ‎A Supreme Court decision overturning tariffs could push the U.S. Treasury to borrow $1.6 trillion and add $400 billion in interest costs by 2036, according to CBO estimates. ‎Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images  ‎ ‎However, the court determined that the administration lacked authority to impose those tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. As a result, ta...
Read more

European Shares Fall, Oil and Gold Rise After U.S.-Israel Action in Iran

Image
‎European financial markets reopened to turbulence after weekend military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The reaction was immediate: equities retreated, energy prices advanced, and investors pivoted toward traditional havens. ‎ ‎European equities decline as Iran conflict boosts oil and defense stocks, hits travel shares, and intensifies inflation and growth concerns. ‎Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images ‎ ‎The rebound in oil and gas prices underscored the emergence of what traders now describe as the “war trade,” adding to an already active AI “scare trade.” Gold strengthened, and the dollar attracted demand despite uncertainty linked to Donald Trump. Geopolitical tensions are reshaping market risk assessments in real time. ‎ ‎A sharp downturn swept across key indexes. The STOXX Europe 600 declined 1.6%, matching losses seen in Germany’s DAX. Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.75%. Financial institutions were a...
Read more

Trump’s Iran Strike Adds Fresh Pressure to $38.5 Trillion US Debt, Warns UBS

Image
Financial markets reacted in what economists described as a rational manner after hostilities erupted between the United States and Iran over the weekend. While the humanitarian consequences remain paramount, attention quickly shifted to the economic implications. ‎ ‎Energy desks are now at the center of the storm. Disruptions to supply chains are broadly expected following the unrest in the Middle East, and parts of that risk have already been reflected in commodity prices. ‎ ‎UBS highlights four economic risks from Trump’s Iran action: higher oil, Red Sea trade threats, rising deficits, and tariff refunds hitting U.S. finances. ‎Daniel Torok/White House/Getty Images ‎ ‎According to Paul Donovan, global chief economist at UBS, four macroeconomic themes stand out. The first is the effect of rising crude prices on inflation. For U.S. analysts already sensitive to affordability pressures, any sustained increase could complicate the outlook. ‎ ‎Second is the vulnerability of s...
Read more

Saudi Arabia Expands Diplomatic Efforts With Iran to Ease Escalating Middle East War

Image
‎Saudi Arabia has increased its diplomatic outreach to Iran in an attempt to limit the spread of a Middle East conflict that is disrupting global markets and creating regional instability, according to several European officials. ‎ ‎In the past few days, Saudi representatives have intensified the use of confidential communication channels with Iranian counterparts in hopes of reducing tensions and preventing the situation from deteriorating further. The officials, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, said multiple European and Middle Eastern governments are supporting these efforts. ‎ Saudi Arabia increases diplomatic engagement with Iran in urgent efforts to contain the growing Middle East war as tensions continue to disrupt regional stability. ‎Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images ‎ ‎The ongoing exchanges reportedly involve diplomats and security officials from both sides. However, it remains uncertain whether the discussions have reached th...
Read more

Investors Gamble on Massive Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Decision

Image
‎A new financial niche is taking shape following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Investors and hedge funds have begun acquiring rights to potential tariff refunds from U.S. importers, creating what some believe could become a market worth tens of billions of dollars. ‎ ‎Hedge funds and investors are buying tariff refund rights from importers after a Supreme Court ruling on IEEPA tariffs, fueling a speculative market that could reach $100B. ‎Ronda Churchill/Bloomberg via Getty Images ‎ ‎The development gained attention after Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, contacted Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Brandon Lutnick, chairman of the financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald. ‎ ‎In his late-February letter, Raskin requested an investigation into the firm. He alleged that Cantor Fitzgerald had been purchasing the rights to tariff refunds from American c...
Read more