US Pres. Donald Trump. Photo courtesy of Anadolu.
United States President Donald Trump said Saturday that Washington has discouraged Kurdish armed groups from joining the ongoing conflict with Iran to avoid further complications in the war.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during a flight to Miami, saying the US maintains friendly relations with Kurdish groups but does not want them drawn into the fighting.
He said the US had advised the Kurds not to participate in the conflict despite their willingness to support the fight against Tehran.
Recent reports from US and Israeli media said the American administration had been communicating with Kurdish armed groups in Iraq and providing assistance against Iran.
Trump also suggested that the conflict could alter Iran’s political landscape, saying it is uncertain whether the country’s current borders will remain the same once the war ends.
He added that Washington would prefer leadership in Tehran that does not push the country toward war.
The US president also claimed that American strikes had weakened Iran’s leadership structure, saying top and second-level leaders had been eliminated and that the government was now operating under lower-level officials.
Israel and the United States have been conducting strikes on Iran since Feb. 28, which have killed hundreds, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several security officials. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.