Peregraf- The Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) confirmed Tuesday that Donald Trump held a phone call with Bafel Talabani to discuss the ongoing war with Iran, revealing new details about Washington’s objectives in the conflict.
In an official statement following a bureau meeting on March 3, chaired by Talabani, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan said Trump “clarified his objectives in this war” during the call, while also expressing appreciation for the PUK’s role in Iraq.
The meeting addressed escalating regional tensions as the war enters a critical phase, with the PUK emphasizing that a return to negotiations remains the best path forward. The party reiterated that its priority is to safeguard the Kurdistan Region, protect civilians, and uphold Iraq’s sovereignty.
Talabani briefed the bureau on a series of high-level engagements, including meetings with Tom Barrack—a special envoy representing Trump—and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces. Discussions focused on the future of Syria, stressing the importance of a constitutional framework that guarantees the rights of all communities and supports implementation of the January 29 agreement between Damascus and the SDF.
The bureau also highlighted the PUK’s readiness to leverage its regional and international relationships to de-escalate tensions and promote stability across Iraq and the wider region.
The confirmation of the Trump–Talabani call follows earlier reporting by Axios, which revealed that Trump had spoken with key Kurdish leaders, including Masoud Barzani and Talabani, shortly after the launch of the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran.
According to Axios, the discussions were considered “sensitive,” with limited details disclosed. The report noted that the outreach came amid growing strategic interest in Kurdish-controlled areas, particularly along the Iran–Iraq border, where Kurdish forces maintain a significant presence.
The report also indicated that the calls followed months of behind-the-scenes lobbying by Benjamin Netanyahu, reflecting longstanding Israeli security ties with Kurdish groups across Iraq, Syria, and Iran.
While the PUK did not disclose specific details of Trump’s war objectives, it described the call as an opportunity to better understand U.S. strategy and explore avenues for strengthening relations between Iraq and the United States.
The bureau concluded by reaffirming its commitment to peace efforts, warning that continued escalation threatens regional stability and urging all parties to prioritize dialogue over conflict.