Iran strikes Kurdish bases in Iraq: what's behind the escalation?

Iran has intensified attacks on Iranian Kurdish opposition bases in northern Iraq, killing at least ten fighters from the Komala party in recent weeks amid the broader US-Iran conflict. The strikes, widely attributed to Tehran, are raising fears that the confrontation is expanding into a new front.

Kurdish groups with a decades-long foothold in Iraq

Several Iranian Kurdish opposition groups – including Komala, the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (PKDI) and the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) – have long operated from bases in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. Kurds make up about 10% of Iran's population, living mainly in the provinces of Kurdistan, Kermanshah, West Azerbaijan and Ilam.

The groups differ in ideology but share a common focus on defending Kurdish communities in Iran and pursuing greater rights or self-rule. Iran officially regards many of these organisations as terrorist entities and has previously carried out cross-border operations against them.

Deadly strikes and mutual accusations

Keywan Faramarzi, international relations officer for Komala, told Middle East Eye that ten of the party's fighters were killed in recent attacks on their bases and "centres of activity" in Iraqi Kurdistan. No one has claimed responsibility, but Faramarzi blamed Iran, describing the violence as part of an ongoing policy targeting Iranian Kurdish opposition parties outside the country.

Other Iranian Kurdish groups have reported similar strikes, inside Iraq as well as within Iran. The attacks coincide with Iranian retaliation against US assets in the Gulf, suggesting Tehran is juggling external and internal perceived threats.

Alleged US-backed plot and categorical denials

Tensions spiked after Israeli media reported that Turkey had pressured the United States to abandon a planned operation to send Iranian Kurdish fighters across the border to try to topple the Iranian government. Similar ideas had been mooted since the US-Iran war began in February, but the latest reports appeared to carry more weight, at least in Tehran's view.

In a 19 July interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel and the US of plotting to break up Iran with Kurdish help. "I said that if any threat comes our way from Iraqi Kurdistan, we will definitely respond," he said.

Kurdish groups, however, reject the claims. Faramarzi told Middle East Eye that his group had no knowledge of such a plan and said the reports were "media speculation" not reflecting reality. Hana Yazdanpanah of PAK echoed that, saying neither her party nor other Kurdish factions had taken part in any operation or received weapons. She admitted PAK had helped protect residents in Iranian Kurdistan during anti-government protests in January, but dismissed any notion of an organised incursion.

Why Tehran still sees a threat

The ongoing strikes suggest Iran continues to view the Iraqi-based groups as a potential danger, despite denials. Analysts cited in the source material note that Tehran appears intent on weakening the political and organisational capacity of these groups while sending a warning to all opposition forces.

In February, several parties announced a new coalition with the stated aim of working toward "the overthrow of the Islamic Republic." That declaration, combined with the US-Iran war, likely deepened Iranian suspicions and may have triggered the recent military responses.

What next?

As long as the US-Iran conflict persists, the Kurdish bases in Iraq are unlikely to escape Tehran's attention. The risk is that Iraq's Kurdistan Region becomes a proxy battleground, dragging in local authorities and international players. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the broader conflict may also need to address these cross-border strikes. For now, Kurdish leaders are attempting to avoid being drawn into a war not of their making, while remaining braced for further attacks.