Donald Trump is open to supporting armed militia groups in Iran, according to reports citing US officials. The US president has said he is willing to back factions prepared to take up arms against Tehran’s regime, the Wall Street Journal reported, as pressure mounts on the country’s leadership.
Mr Trump is understood to have spoken on Sunday with Kurdish leaders and is continuing to engage other regional figures who could seek to exploit what Washington views as growing weakness inside Iran. The Kurds maintain a sizeable force along the Iraq-Iran border, and their proximity to western Iran has fuelled speculation they could play a role in any effort to challenge Tehran’s authority. The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Trump is open to supporting Iranian groups willing to take up arms to overthrow the regime, citing official American sources. According to the report, he continues to reach out to other local leaders who might exploit Tehran’s weakness.
Officials told the Wall Street Journal that Mr Trump has not yet made a final decision on the matter, including whether to provide weapons, training or intelligence support to groups opposing the regime.
However, the report said such a move could turn Iranian factions into ground forces backed, at least verbally, by Washington.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Mr Trump has spoken with many regional partners, but did not explicitly confirm any plan to support armed groups inside Iran.
The reported outreach comes as Israel has bombed positions in western Iran, prompting speculation that military pressure could create openings along the border region.
The Kurds’ sizeable presence near the Iraq-Iran frontier has added to questions about whether local forces could seek to capitalise on the shifting security landscape.
US officials stressed to the Wall Street Journal that discussions remain ongoing and no formal commitment has been made. They indicated that while options are being considered, the president has yet to determine the scope of any potential involvement.
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The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, with Washington and its allies closely watching Tehran’s response to both internal pressures and external military strikes.
Axios first reported Mr Trump’s call with Kurdish leaders, according to the Wall Street Journal’s account of the discussions.
Officials reiterated to the newspaper that while conversations are continuing, no decision has been taken on whether the United States will move beyond diplomatic engagement.
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