Intense waves of airstrikes have hit dozens of military positions, frontier posts, and police stations along the northern parts of Iran’s border with Iraq, as part of preparations by the US and Israel for a new front in their conflict. According to multiple reports, these strikes appear to be preparation for mobilizing Kurdish forces based in northern Iraq.
Key Takeaways
Intense waves of airstrikes have hit dozens of military positions along Iran’s border with Iraq, as part of preparations by the US and Israel for a new front in their conflict. Kurdish peshmerga fighters are reportedly on standby to cross the border from northern Iraq, supported by US air cover.
- Intense waves of airstrikes hit dozens of military positions along Iran’s border with Iraq
- US ready to provide air support if Kurdish peshmerga fighters cross into Iran
- Israeli military confirms heavy operations in western Iran to degrade Iranian capabilities and create freedom of operations towards Tehran
A US official familiar with discussions between Washington and Kurdish officials stated that the US is ready to provide air support if Kurdish peshmerga fighters cross the border from northern Iraq into Iran. This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to open up new fronts against Iranian military capabilities.
The Israeli military confirmed its heavy operations in western Iran, aimed at degrading Iranian capabilities and creating operational freedom towards Tehran. The spokesperson for Israel’s military stated that the air force has been "heavily operating in western Iran to degrade Iranian capabilities there and to open up a way to Tehran and create freedom of operations there."
Kurdish officials reported that Kurdish Iranian dissident groups based in northern Iraq are preparing for a potential cross-border military operation into Iran. The US has reportedly asked Iraqi Kurds to support these groups.
Khalil Nadiri, an official with the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), stated that some of their forces have moved to areas near the Iranian border in Sulaymaniyah province and are on standby. He mentioned that Kurdish opposition group leaders had been contacted by US officials regarding a potential operation, without providing further details.
Meanwhile, Baloch militant groups opposed to the Tehran regime have also reportedly moved from remote mountain bases in Pakistan across the border into Iran, according to local officials.
Experts predict that backing armed groups from Iran’s ethnic communities could "open up a hornet's nest," aggravating divisions within the diverse country and increasing the risk of a chaotic civil war if the current regime collapses.
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