Mustafa Hijri, leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) in an interview with Rudaw's Zinar Shino in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Photo: Rudaw/screengrab
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Mustafa Hijri, leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), on Wednesday denied claims that the opposition group received weapons from the United States during the six-week conflict with Iran, stressing that the group’s decisions are made independently, without external influence.
Speaking to Rudaw’s Zinar Shino inside the European Union in Brussels, Hijri said his party, along with allied Kurdish opposition groups, had “purposely decided not to take part” in the US-Israel conflict with Iran. He emphasized that their struggle against the Islamic Republic is “long-standing and autonomous,” driven by their own objectives rather than external agendas.
The United States and Israel in late February launched a widescale aerial campaign striking over 23,000 targets across the country, according to official reports from Washington and Tel Aviv.
During the nearly 40-day war, some media reports in early March alleged that the US was funneling weapons and intelligence to a newly formed coalition of five major Kurdish dissident groups, including the KDPI and allied opposition groups, to stretch Iranian security forces during domestic unrest. Kurdish opposition leaders, however, firmly denied these allegations.
A Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire came into effect on Tuesday to allow space for negotiations between Washington and Tehran. While the first round of talks has concluded on Sunday without a deal, reports suggest that another round may be held later this week.
Hijri expressed skepticism that the anticipated US-Iran talks would lead to lasting peace, arguing that “the Islamic Republic has a decades-long record of conflict with both its own people and the international community, and is unlikely to change its policies.”
The Kurdish opposition leader further noted that Tehran has not engaged in dialogue with Kurdish dissident groups, pointing instead to continued attacks on their camps in the Kurdistan Region, including incidents in the past 48 hours that he said affected families of PDKI members.
In recent weeks, Tehran and Iraqi armed groups affiliated with the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance’ have intensified their assaults against Kurdish dissident groups in the Kurdistan Region.
The latter surge coincided with the outbreak of the Iran war in late February, which saw Tehran launch thousands of drone and missile strikes across the Middle East, targeting alleged US assets - particularly in Gulf Arab states - as well as carrying out retaliatory attacks against Israel.
Moreover, Iraqi armed groups aligned with Tehran have claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on alleged US targets across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. According to Rudaw tracking as of Friday, the Region has endured more than 700 drone and missile attacks, killing over a dozen people and injuring more than 90 others.
Despite the 12-day truce between Washington and Tehran largely holding, the Kurdistan Region has been targeted on at least three days during it.
Following is the full transcript of the interview with Hijri
Rudaw: First, I would like to ask about the US-Israel war on Iran. You did not get involved in this war. Was this stance based on principle, or were there circumstances that led you to avoid involvement?
Mustafa Hijri: As the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), along with other Iranian Kurdish opposition forces allied with us, our struggle against the Islamic Republic of Iran began long before these recent conflicts. Our goal has always been to achieve the demands of our people, and we will continue this struggle in line with our capabilities. Therefore, we were not a party to this war. While the conflict has indeed weakened the Islamic Republic, we have our own programs and objectives, which differ from those of the United States, Israel, and others. As the PDKI - and I would say, other Iranian Kurdish opposition groups working together within this alliance - this has been a deliberate decision.
Did the Kurdistan Region put any pressure on you not to take part in the US-Israel war on Iran?
We are in contact with the Kurdistan Region, but this issue was not discussed. We make our own decisions regarding how to conduct our struggle and determine our course of action.
US President Donald Trump made remarks that sparked widespread reactions, suggesting that weapons provided to protesters ended up in Kurdish hands. Did the US or Trump provide you with weapons?
As the PDKI, we have not received any weapons, nor have members of the alliance we have formed. As for who may have received such weapons, I have no information.
There is currently a ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran, and talks are ongoing. Do you believe these talks will lead to long-term peace, or could the war resume?
Over the past 45 years, since coming to power, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not maintained peaceful relations with any side. It seeks to implement an ideology that differs fundamentally from that of Israel, the United States, and much of the world. It has not even established peace with its own people. Therefore, I have little hope that these talks - even if successful - will bring lasting peace and stability to the Middle East, or lead the Islamic Republic to change its policies, despite recent setbacks. As long as the Islamic Republic exists, even in a weakened state, it will not abandon its programs. It does not have peaceful relations with its own people, nor with the broader international community.
Has the Islamic Republic made any efforts to engage in talks with you in the past, or particularly since this war began?
No, no such attempts have been made.
Do you know whether they have approached other parties within your alliance of Kurdish opposition groups?
To my knowledge, they have not approached them either.
Finally, I know you have meetings to attend, but I would like to ask about the situation of the family members of your cadres based in the Kurdistan Region. Are they under any pressure?
Undoubtedly, they are facing increasing threats and attacks. The camps of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, where our families are based, have all been bombed. PDKI camps, in particular, have borne the brunt of these attacks. Despite the start of talks, last night they attacked us. The Islamic Republic has not stopped bombing our camps, including in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. While it has halted attacks elsewhere, it continues targeting the Kurdistan Region and our positions.
You have met with European lawmakers. What are their positions regarding the rights of Kurds and other nations in Iran?
Based on my meetings with socialist and social-democratic parties, they have consistently supported the rights, democracy, and freedoms of nations within Iran. They show genuine interest in seeing the Iranian people achieve freedom. However, we have yet to see substantial practical steps from them. We hope that moving forward, they will adjust their policies and take a more active role in strengthening Iran’s opposition groups.
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