Turkey 'prevented Kurdish invasion' of Iran during Israeli-US war

What Happened

Turkey blocked a US- and Israeli-backed Kurdish incursion into Iran during the 2025 Israeli-US war on Iran, Israel's i24News reported. Kurdish militias had been armed and trained for months by US intelligence agencies, with Israeli involvement, and were ready to launch an attack on Iran one week after receiving weapons. However, the US halted the operation after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan applied pressure. Israeli officials claimed that US Vice President JD Vance leaked details of the operation to Turkey, leading Ankara to intervene. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had previously warned US Secretary of State Marco Rubio against supporting a Kurdish operation in Iran. The planned invasion was part of a broader US-Israeli effort aimed at regime change in Iran, with Israel reportedly bombing western Iran to facilitate a Kurdish advance. Separately, low-level conflict persists, as Iran's Revolutionary Guard killed five members of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan near Piranshahr last week.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The revelation underscores escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey, with Turkish officials publicly warning of a potential conflict. It also highlights Ankara's ability to veto US-backed operations involving Kurdish forces, reflecting shifting alliances and the complex proxy landscape in the Middle East. The planned incursion reveals the extent of US-Israeli coordination for regime change in Iran and the constraints imposed by Turkish interests.

Watch For

Monitor whether Israel and Turkey move toward direct confrontation, as suggested by Israeli officials' warnings. Watch for further leaks or statements regarding VP Vance's alleged role. Track the status of Kurdish-Iran clashes, especially any attempts to revive the invasion plan, and US-Turkey diplomatic exchanges on Kurdish operations in the region.