From 'rise up' to arming rebels? Trump open to supporting Iranian factions

Trump’s call with Kurdish leaders; officials say no final decision yet on arms or intelligence support.

• Trump may support armed groups against Iran regime, officials say
• No final decision on US arms or training for anti-regime factions
• US-Israel strikes on Iran lead to talks with Kurdish, regional leaders

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President Donald Trump is open to supporting groups inside Iran willing to take up arms to dislodge the regime, US officials said, an idea that could see Iranian factions act as ground forces rhetorically backed by Washington.

Trump spoke on Sunday with Kurdish leaders, officials told The Wall Street Journal, and is continuing to engage other local leaders who might leverage Tehran’s weakening position to make gains. Axios first reported Trump’s call with the Kurds.

The Kurdish forces maintain a sizable presence along the Iraq-Iran border. Israeli strikes have targeted positions in western Iran in recent days, prompting speculation that such operations could shape the ground environment in those areas.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that “President Trump has spoken with many regional partners,” without explicitly confirming his objectives.

US officials said Trump has not made a final decision on whether Washington would provide arms, training or intelligence support to anti-regime groups.

In announcing the start of US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Trump urged the Iranian people to rise up and “take over your government,” adding that “America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.”

By considering conditional support for armed resistance groups with differing agendas, Trump is weighing options beyond rhetorical support for a popular uprising.

On Tuesday, Trump twice shared on social media a Washington Post opinion piece outlining what it described as a “Trump doctrine.” In the column, Marc Thiessen wrote: “There is no need for a U.S. invasion force. The Iranian people are the boots on the ground.”

The discussions come amid an expanding US-Israel military campaign targeting Iranian assets. The strikes were launched after Washington and Tel Aviv said Iran posed an escalating threat in the region.

US officials have not outlined a formal policy shift toward direct backing of armed groups inside Iran. Washington has historically faced scrutiny over involvement with regional militias and opposition movements, and prior administrations have approached regime change rhetoric cautiously.

The outreach to Kurdish leaders and other regional actors follows days of military exchanges between Iran and US and Israeli forces. Tehran has responded with strikes on American military bases and Israeli-linked targets across the region.

Any decision to provide material support to anti-regime groups would mark a significant escalation in US involvement beyond air and missile operations currently under way.