The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is reportedly working on a plan to arm Kurdish opposition groups in an effort to spark a broader uprising against the Iranian government, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. The strategy is being considered as tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran intensify across the region.
Sources say the plan involves providing military assistance to Iranian Kurdish militias operating near the Iran-Iraq border, particularly those based in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. These armed groups number in the thousands and have historically opposed Tehran’s rule in Kurdish-majority areas of western Iran.
The idea behind the proposal is that Kurdish fighters could engage Iranian security forces along the country’s western frontier, potentially stretching the Iranian military and creating conditions that might encourage wider protests or unrest in major cities. One official reportedly said the aim would be to “pin down” Iranian forces and allow domestic opposition movements to mobilize more easily.
U.S. officials have also been in discussions with Kurdish political leaders and Iranian opposition groups about possible cooperation, according to the reports. Kurdish forces themselves are said to be considering a potential ground operation in western Iran if international backing materializes.
However, analysts warn that such a move could significantly escalate the conflict and destabilize the wider Middle East. Arming Kurdish militias could also strain relations with neighboring countries such as Turkey, which strongly opposes Kurdish armed movements near its borders.
Iran has already accused Kurdish groups of coordinating with foreign powers and has reportedly launched drone strikes against Kurdish positions along the border in response to the emerging threat.
The CIA has declined to comment publicly on the reports, and the proposal remains under discussion, with no official confirmation that such a program has been approved.
