Kurdish militants have triggered fresh regional concern after armed separatist groups attempted to cross into Iran from neighboring Iraq, according to multiple reports. These developments come as Iran faces weeks of violent unrest and an aggressive crackdown led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iranian officials said the attempted border breach occurred in western and northwestern Iran amid nationwide protests against the regime. Reuters reported that the IRGC has taken the lead in suppressing demonstrations while monitoring border activity. The Tasnim News Agency also reported that armed militia groups operating in Iraq crossed into Iranian territory, heightening fears of broader destabilization.
According to Reuters, three sources—including a senior Iranian official—said Turkey’s intelligence service, known as MIT, warned Iran that Kurdish fighters were trying to cross the Iran-Iraq border. The Iranian official said clashes broke out following the attempted crossing and accused the fighters of exploiting unrest to deepen instability.
The issue carries wider regional implications. The Council on Foreign Relations estimates that roughly 30 million Kurds live across Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Ankara has designated several Kurdish militant groups in northern Iraq as terrorist organizations and has repeatedly conducted cross-border operations against them, including strikes on PKK bases. In 2025, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party announced it would disarm and end its decades-long conflict with Turkey.
Iranian authorities alleged the fighters were dispatched from Iraq and Turkey and said Tehran has formally requested both governments stop any movement of fighters or weapons into Iran. Reuters reported that MIT and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s office declined to comment, though Turkey warned that interference in Iran could inflame regional crises.
Meanwhile, violence inside Iran continues to mount. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 2,571 deaths as of Wednesday. President Donald Trump said he was told the killings had stopped and added there was no plan for mass executions, citing “very important sources on the other side.”
Iran briefly closed most of its airspace Wednesday, according to Flightradar24, underscoring the volatility.
