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Iran threatened Friday to target all facilities in Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) territory if armed groups are allowed to cross into Iranian territory from the region, a sharp escalation in rhetoric as reports of CIA plans to arm Kurdish opposition forces against Tehran continued to roil the region.
Brig. Gen. Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the supreme leader's representative on Iran's Defense Council, said only U.S. and Israeli bases and "separatist groups" had been targeted in the KRG so far.
"If these groups or regime (Israel) elements are allowed to enter Iran's borders through the region, all facilities in the KRG will be targeted," Ahmadian told Iranian state television.
He added that security support provided to the KRG would be halted if such a scenario materialized.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also issued a separate warning on X aimed at Kurdish armed groups reportedly being prepared by the United States.
"The U.S. wants to gamble all its assets to defend the criminal Israeli regime. No wise person would enter this slaughterhouse. If disreputable separatists get carried away and make a mistake, they will be thrown into the dustbin of history," Qalibaf said.
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani said the KRG would continue efforts to stay out of the conflict.
"We will do everything within our power to ensure that Kurdistan remains distant from war, tragedies and misery and continues to be protected and secure," Barzani said in a statement.
The KDP politburo said the KRG was not part of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, calling the political situation a "sensitive and decisive phase."
KRG President Nechirvan Barzani conveyed the same message during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday.
KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani said earlier this week: "We are part of no plan to arm Kurdish opposition parties and send them into Iranian territory. These claims are entirely unfounded."
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also dismissed reports that the administration had agreed to arm Kurdish forces, though U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters he was "all for" the Kurds launching an offensive into Iran.
Asked if the U.S. would provide air cover, Trump said, "I can't tell you that."
Iraqi Kurdish authorities also stated on Friday that oil production at a field operated by U.S. firm HKN Energy was halted following a drone attack.
A security source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) two drones struck the oil field in the Sarsang area of Dohuk province on Thursday.
The Kurdish region's natural resources ministry described the strike as a "terrorist attack" by "an outlaw group in Iraq."
A source at an oil company in KRG told AFP on Tuesday that most foreign oil companies had temporarily halted production as a precautionary measure. Drones have repeatedly been intercepted over Erbil, which hosts U.S.-led coalition troops and a major U.S. consulate complex.
The United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and at least 926 people.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, leaving at least six U.S. service members killed.
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