President Donald Trump described the Kurds as “great fighters” and expressed gratitude for their cooperation with U.S. forces over the years, Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), said in an interview with Fox News.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News’s Bret Baier, Talabani offered an assessment of the escalating conflict involving Iran, warning that hostilities have intensified across multiple fronts.
Baier opened the discussion by noting the role of the Kurds in the region and their long history of cooperation with the United States during the Iraq war and the fight against ISIS.
In an exclusive Fox News (@FoxNews) Special Report (@SpecialReport) interview, PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani warns of escalating war in Iran, Kurdish armed groups, U.S. involvement, regional complexities, and humanitarian crises, calling for diplomacy, dignity, and… pic.twitter.com/uXHU6MI8vU
— Channel 8 English (@Channel8English) March 7, 2026
Talabani said the conflict began unexpectedly and has continued to intensify. “We saw the hostilities start surprisingly, and it seems to be a massive escalation across all fronts,” he said. “Kurdistan has come under attack from several different angles, and I’m not seeing any sign of a slowdown. If anything, I’m seeing an escalation.”
During the interview, Baier asked about reports that thousands of Iranian Kurds were preparing for potential military operations.
Talabani noted that many Iranian Kurds seek dignity and better treatment but stressed that the most effective armed groups are not operating inside Iran. “There are a lot of Iranian Kurds that deserve dignity and they deserve perhaps better treatment,” he said. “But as for any actual preparation and armed Kurds inside Iran, there are elements and there’s lots of political organisation. But most of the most effective fighting forces are actually outside of Iran. They’re on the borders here.”
Talabani also spoke about a conversation he had with Trump, describing the exchange in positive terms. He said Trump “was very charming” and “very kind,” adding that he could feel the emotion in the former president’s voice.
“He said that the Kurds were great fighters,” Talabani explained, adding that Trump considers the protection of the Kurdish people in Iraq to be of paramount importance. He also noted that Trump expressed gratitude for years of cooperation with U.S. special forces.
Talabani further revealed that he had spoken with the Iranian foreign minister, who conveyed disappointment over the current escalation.
According to Talabani, the Iranian official indicated that negotiations had been progressing prior to the conflict. “The Foreign Minister, His Excellency, expressed great disappointment,” he said, explaining that technical talks had been expected to take place in the coming days.
Talabani noted that the Iranian side suggested it was not seeking war but would fight if necessary, describing the conflict as existential for Tehran. He also said he gained the impression that Iran remained open to some form of peaceful negotiations, which he described as the only realistic solution.
Regarding the possibility of regime change in Iran, Talabani said he does not currently see signs pointing in that direction.
“Regime change at the moment doesn’t look on the cards from what I see,” he said. “We’ve seen no uprisings anywhere. We’ve seen nothing of that. But it’s early days. I expect this operation to be long and very difficult.”
Talabani added that the Iranian leadership appears prepared for confrontation. “I think that the regime has been planning for this for 45 years,” he said, warning that fierce resistance should be expected.
He also questioned how “regime change” should be defined and whether diplomatic options remain possible once military objectives are achieved.
Talabani further argued that comparisons with the 2003 Iraq war are inaccurate. He explained that at the time there was a recognized opposition to Saddam Hussein among Shiites and Kurds, whereas a similar unified opposition figure or movement is not visible in Iran today.
“There isn’t a standard, a symbol for people to follow, and that will make it very difficult,” he said.
Talabani also said he has not seen any armed cross-border operations by Iranian Kurdish groups from Iraqi territory into Iran.
“Not that I see,” he said, warning that such actions could trigger complications involving regional actors, including Türkiye, and potentially lead to broader tensions.
Talabani described the situation as highly complex, noting that multiple ethnic and political dynamics inside Iran make the scenario difficult.
Looking ahead, he suggested that Kurdistan could play a constructive role once conditions allow.
“I think that Kurdistan needs to be a bridge, not a battlefield,” he said. “The Kurds are uniquely positioned as being your great allies and a partner and a neighbor of Iran.”
Talabani noted that his late father previously played a similar mediating role and said the Kurds could help support de-escalation when the time is right.
He added that while Iran’s system appears weakened, its institutions remain intact.
“I think that once military objectives are achieved, it will be the time for diplomacy,” he said, stressing that Kurds stand ready to work with partners and allies to help bring stability, peace and prosperity to a region that has suffered from many wars.
Talabani also acknowledged concerns over drone threats in the region but said Kurdistan has no effective defense against them.
Finally, he warned that the humanitarian consequences of the conflict are his greatest concern.
“I think the people of the Middle East have suffered enough,” he said, urging all sides to seek a less violent path.
Talabani concluded by saying he believes Trump ultimately seeks peace. “I genuinely believe that Mr. Trump in his heart wants peace,” he said, expressing hope that diplomacy and dialogue could eventually bring lasting stability.
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