The United States and Israel are reportedly plotting an armed uprising within Iran, utilizing a Kurdish fighting force that has been cultivated since the 2025 war. ITV News reports that weapons have been smuggled into western Iran, arming thousands of Kurdish volunteers, with a ground operation expected to commence within days. American and Israeli strikes have targeted security facilities in western Iran, aiming to weaken their capabilities and facilitate the ground rebellion. Kurdish sources indicate that the U.S. and Israel have been requested to provide air support for the operation, though the approval status remains unknown. Iran has intensified its bombing of Kurdish rebel regions, and President Trump has engaged in discussions with Iranian and Iraqi Kurdish leaders, potentially addressing the ground rebellion. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed these talks, and U.S. officials hinted at considering support requests. However, an opinion piece in the Washington Post suggests that U.S. forces may not need to engage in a ground operation, as the Iranian people are expected to play a pivotal role. Despite the potential for an uprising, Iran's military fortifications around Kurdish areas and its history of harsh crackdowns on rebellions cast doubt on its success. With approximately ten million Kurds in Iran, and thousands having undergone training in the mountains, the uprising's prospects remain uncertain. The Kurds' past experiences with the U.S., where they were utilized and then abandoned, further complicate matters. The willingness of Iranian Kurdish leaders to support the uprising may be limited, while Iraqi Kurdish leaders might approach the situation with caution, considering Iran's response to other nations' involvement in the war.
