Iranian Kurd leader in Iraq says ground operation into Iran highly likely'

"We have been planning for a long time, and now that conditions are more favourable, there is a strong probability of action. We have yet to reach a decisive decision, but it is highly likely we will move forward with a ground operation."

"The Americans have contacted us through various channels but until now, we have not met directly but they contacted us."

"Three locations of separatist groups in the Iraqi region (of Kurdistan) were hit this morning. If separatist groups in the region [of Kurdistan] make any move against Iran's territorial integrity, we will crush them."

Babasheikh Hosseini, secretary-general of the Khabat Organisation of Iranian Kurdistan, stated that Iranian Kurdish groups are highly likely to conduct a cross-border ground operation into Iran. He indicated that while no operation has occurred yet, conditions have become more favorable for action. The United States has made contact with the group through various channels, though direct meetings have not yet taken place. Simultaneously, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced strikes against separatist targets in Iraq's Kurdish region, warning that any moves against Iran's territorial integrity would be crushed. The Iraqi government and Kurdish Regional Government issued statements opposing the use of Iraqi territory for attacks on neighboring countries.

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