U.S. President Donald Trump says he does not want Kurdish fighters from Iraq to enter Iran and join the ongoing conflict, stating that the situation in the region is already complicated. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after attending the return ceremony for the first six American soldiers killed in the war with Iran, Trump said Kurdish involvement could add further risks to an already complex military situation.
Trump said Kurdish groups had expressed willingness to cross into Iran to fight, but he told them not to do so. He explained that he does not want Kurdish fighters to be drawn into the conflict or face additional casualties. According to Trump, the war already involves multiple actors and expanding the battlefield could lead to further instability.
His remarks mark a shift from comments he made earlier in the week. On Thursday, Trump had expressed support for Kurdish involvement and said he would welcome their participation in operations against Iran. Reports indicated that U.S. officials had even discussed the possibility with Kurdish leadership. When asked whether the United States would provide air cover if Kurdish forces entered Iran, Trump declined to provide details but said their objective would be to win.
Trump also addressed reports about a strike on a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran that reportedly killed about 150 people. He suggested Iran may have been responsible for the attack. However, internal U.S. assessments cited in reports indicate the strike may have been carried out by American forces.
The president dismissed claims that Russia has been assisting Iran during the conflict. Trump said there is no indication that Moscow is providing intelligence or other forms of support to Tehran as the fighting continues.
Trump reiterated that the United States is not currently pursuing a negotiated settlement with Iran. He said the U.S. wants to ensure that whoever eventually leads Iran will not bring the country into further wars. Trump also predicted that the conflict will continue for some time, although he did not give a specific timeline. His press secretary previously suggested the war could last between four and six weeks.
When asked about the possibility of deploying American ground troops inside Iran, Trump did not rule it out. He said such a decision would only be considered if there was a strong justification for it.
Trump also commented on the possibility of British military support. In a message posted on Truth Social, he criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after reports suggested Britain was considering sending aircraft carriers to the Middle East. Trump wrote that the United States no longer needed that support and suggested the move was coming too late.
Regarding Iran’s remaining stockpiles of enriched uranium, Trump said the United States is not currently focused on retrieving the material but may address the issue later as the conflict develops.
