Exclusive: Trump's Kurdish Phone Calls Debunk Invasion Rumors
Sky News has obtained exclusive details about phone conversations between former US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Kurdish political leaders at the onset of the Iran conflict last weekend. Contrary to swirling speculation in American media, these discussions contained no requests for military action against Iran and no mention of Central Intelligence Agency involvement.
Direct Source Contradicts Widespread Claims
A high-ranking, trusted member of the Iraqi Kurdistan political elite with intimate knowledge of the calls confirmed to Sky News that Trump spoke with Bafel Talabani, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, for approximately ten minutes when hostilities began. The source, speaking anonymously, stated unequivocally that Trump "didn't ask for anything, he didn't suggest they invade anywhere and didn't discuss arms or the CIA in any way."
Instead, the former president expressed gratitude for Kurdish forces' longstanding assistance to American military operations in northern Iraq and Syria, requesting Talabani's regional wisdom and experience. The source emphasized that reports of pressure on Kurdish leaders to cross borders or of active CIA ground operations represent "an outright lie, it didn't happen."
Second Brief Conversation Confirmed
The source further confirmed a separate, very brief phone call between Trump and Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. "Again, President Trump asked for nothing," they noted, clarifying that only these two conversations occurred with Kurdish leadership. This directly counters American media suggestions that the Trump administration sought Kurdish ground offensives into Iran with CIA support to spark popular uprisings.
Kurdish Leader's Background and Motivations
Bafel Talabani, who spent his refugee childhood in Croydon, south London, is the son of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Known throughout the Middle East for maintaining relationships with all major regional players, Talabani's primary commitment remains protecting Kurdistan and its people. "If he speaks to one side, he always also speaks to the other," the source explained regarding his diplomatic approach.
Contrasting Perspectives Among Kurdish Groups
While Iranian Kurdish exile groups in Iraqi Kurdistan have recently expressed to Sky News their desire for American-supported incursions into Iran to promote regime change, the source cautioned that such actions without explicit US assurances would be "suicide." Currently, no firm agreements or plans for cross-border operations exist, though the rapidly evolving conflict situation leaves future possibilities open.
This revelation provides crucial clarification amid intense speculation about US-Kurdish coordination during the ongoing Iran conflict, separating verified diplomatic exchanges from unsubstantiated rumors of covert military plotting.
