Trump Signals War Could Reshape Iran's Map, Kurds Urged Not to Get Involved

President of the United States, Donald Trump, said he does not want Kurdish groups to be involved in a war against Iran for fear the conflict would become more complicated, even though Washington has close ties with them. In recent days, several media outlets in the United States and Israel reported that the U.S. government had been in contact with armed Kurdish groups in Iraq and were providing support to confront Tehran. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Miami, Trump said that although the United States has good relations with the Kurds, Washington advised them not to become involved in the conflict. ‘We are very friendly with the Kurds, as you know, but we do not want to make the war more complex than it already is,’ he said. He added that he personally urged Kurdish groups not to participate in fighting, even though they expressed willingness to engage. ‘I do not want the Kurds to get involved. I do not want to see the Kurds hurt, killed,’ he said. Trump also signalled that the ongoing war could affect Iran’s future. He said geopolitical changes could not be ruled out after the conflict ends. ‘I cannot tell you. Maybe not,’ he replied when asked whether Iran’s border would remain the same. The U.S. president also touched on possible political changes in Tehran, stating that Washington desires Iranian leadership that would not lead the country into war. Trump claimed that U.S. military strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s leadership structure. ‘We have removed the top leadership and we have removed the second-tier leadership,’ he said, adding that Iran is now at a third- or fourth-tier level of leadership. He noted that deploying U.S. ground forces to secure enriched uranium at Iran’s nuclear facilities could be considered in the future, though it is not currently planned. ‘At some point, perhaps we will do it; it would be great, but for now we are just destroying them,’ he added. Asked about the possibility of Russian backing for Iran, Trump said he did not see any indications of Moscow’s involvement. ‘I have no indications,’ he said. Regarding the duration of the conflict, Trump asserted that the war would continue for as long as necessary, claiming Iran’s military capability is currently very weakened. ‘The war will go on as long as is required,’ he stated, adding that Iran’s military is now almost non-existent. Since 28 February, retaliatory attacks from Israel and the United States against Iran have reportedly killed hundreds, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and various security officials; Tehran replied with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting American assets. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has continued operations; the situation remains tense as regional actors monitor potential evolutions in Iran’s leadership and alliances.