Exclusive Insight into Trump's Kurdish Communications Emerges
Sky News has obtained a detailed and exclusive insight into the phone calls between former US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq at the outset of the recent conflict last weekend. This revelation comes amid considerable speculation and swirling rumors regarding the content of these communications, which had fueled claims about potential Kurdish-led ground operations into Iranian territory.
Source Confirms No Invasion Request or CIA Operation
A high-ranking and trusted member of the Iraqi Kurdistan political elite, speaking on the condition of strict anonymity, has provided intimate knowledge of the details from the phone call between Mr. Trump and Bafel Talabani, the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). According to this source, the conversation occurred last weekend as the war began and lasted approximately ten minutes.
The source explicitly stated that President Trump did not ask Kurdish armed groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan to launch a ground incursion into Iran during this call. Furthermore, the source confirmed that there is currently no covert CIA operation underway to arm these groups, directly countering previous reports.
"Mr. Trump was phoning to express his thanks, and his need for his [Mr. Talabani's] wisdom, experience, and his relations in the region," the source elaborated. "He didn't ask for anything, he didn't suggest they invade anywhere and didn't discuss arms or the CIA in any way."
Countering Media Reports and Clarifying Intent
This new information directly contradicts earlier media reports that suggested pressure was being applied on Kurdish leaders by Mr. Trump to cross the border into Iran, alongside claims of active CIA involvement in ground plans. The source labeled such assertions as "an outright lie, it didn't happen," emphasizing the factual inaccuracies in those narratives.
The source also confirmed that Mr. Trump engaged in a very brief phone call with Masoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), during the same period. "Again, President Trump asked for nothing, it was a very brief call," they noted, adding that only these two calls to Kurdish leaders took place.
It is believed that the source was granted permission to speak with Sky News specifically to counter claims originating in American media. Those reports had suggested the Trump administration requested the Kurds to launch a ground offensive into Iran with CIA assistance, aiming to create a popular uprising. The source clarified that this topic was not covered in the phone call, and Mr. Talabani did not receive any such impression.
Background on Bafel Talabani and Regional Dynamics
Bafel Talabani, who grew up as a refugee in Croydon, south London, is the son of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. He is well-known across the Middle East for maintaining positive relations with all major regional players. "If he speaks to one side, he always also speaks to the other," the source explained. "His overriding conviction is to protect Kurdistan and its people - that is all."
In related developments, Iranian Kurdish groups living in exile in Iraqi Kurdistan have expressed to Sky News in recent days that they would welcome an incursion into Iran to ferment regime change. These groups are actively hoping for American military support, particularly air cover if they were to cross the border.
However, the source cautioned that it would be "suicide" for Iranian Kurds to cross the border without specific American assurances and support. As the situation currently stands, there is no indication that any firm agreement or plan has been established. Nevertheless, with the war evolving daily, this dynamic could potentially change in the future.
