Iran's intelligence ministry said on Thursday that it had targeted positions belonging to "separatist groups" attempting to enter the country through its western borders, adding that the militants sustained heavy losses during the security operations.
According to the ministry, the operations were carried out in coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The targeted groups are believed to include Iranian Kurdish opposition militias such as the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and the Komala Party. These organisations have operated for decades from bases in the neighbouring Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
In recent months, the groups have reportedly formed a unified coalition aimed at challenging the government in Tehran.
The border clashes come amid reports that Kurdish militias have recently held consultations with the U.S. Sources familiar with the matter said the discussions focused on whether, and how, to organise attacks against Iranian security forces stationed in western provinces.
Military and intelligence analysts say the U.S. and Israel may be exploring options to arm exiled opposition groups as a way to stretch Tehran’s military resources. Such a strategy could open a new ground insurgency while Iran’s armed forces confront an ongoing campaign of aerial bombardment.
In a statement carried by state media, Iran’s intelligence ministry said its forces were cooperating successfully with what it described as “noble Kurds” in the region.
Officials said the border operations were intended to thwart what they described as a coordinated Israeli and U.S. plan to attack Iranian territory and destabilise the country.
Iran’s military has recently intensified operations against Kurdish militant positions in response to the alleged threat. The campaign has included pre-emptive drone and ballistic missile strikes against suspected arms depots and headquarters located just across the border in Iraqi territory.
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The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to advance joint industrial projects, investment and technical cooperation following talks in Minsk, as Kabul seeks Belarusian machinery and support to develop domestic manufacturing.
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are drawing up a new programme aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030, as the two countries move to deepen economic and industrial ties.
Syria says it assured Israel that Türkiye had no plans to establish a military presence at the Abu al-Duhur airbase before Israeli forces struck the site on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued his strongest warning yet over Türkiye's growing military role in Syria, saying Israel will not accept Turkish forces expanding their presence further south.
Azerbaijan’s support for Ukraine could provide a model for neighbouring countries seeking to strengthen their sovereignty, the director of development at an organisation supporting Ukraine’s armed forces has told AnewZ.
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