A senior Iranian military official visiting Baghdad this week threatened Iraq with a ground military operation in the country's north if the Iraqi army does not fortify the border against Kurdish opposition groups.
It would be the first time in Iraq that such an offensive would be carried out, and it would raise the specter of regional repercussions from the unrest in Iran.
The commander of Iran's Quds Force delivered a warning to officials in Baghdad this week. The force is part of the Revolutionary Guard.
Iran claims that Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq are inciting anti-government protests in Iran. The Kurdish groups have denied the allegations.
Baghdad is in a dilemma because of the Iranian warning. It is the first time that Iranian officials have threatened a ground operation after months of cross-border tensions.
Protests demanding the overthrow of Iran's clerical rulers erupted after the death of a young Kurdish-Iranian woman in Tehran. Iranian authorities have killed hundreds of people and arrested thousands as they try to keep control of the streets. Kurdish areas of Amini's home have been the center of unrest.
Iran blamed foreign interference for inciting the protests and accused Kurdish opposition groups of having ties to Israel. At least a dozen people have been killed and many more wounded in missile attacks launched by Tehran against the bases of these groups inside Iraq.
The Iranian attack on Koya, in Irbil province, left at least three people dead.
He met with the Prime Minister and other leaders of the Coordination Framework alliance. Sudani became the leader of the Coordination Framework, an alliance of mostly Iran-backed parties.
Disarming the bases of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq and fortifying the borders with Iraqi troops were two of the demands made by the man.
According to two Shiite political figures, two militia officials and a senior Kurdish official, Iran would launch a military sweep with ground forces if Baghdad did not meet its demands. They were not authorized to brief the media about the meeting.
Under the authority of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, the area of Iran's concern would need to be negotiated with Baghdad.
Iraqi officials don't see any evidence to back up Iran's accusations against the Kurds.
Kurdish opposition parties acknowledge deep ties with Kurdish areas in Iran but deny they are selling weapons to protesters. The first area to witness protests in September was the Kurdish city of Saqqez.
Kurdish opposition parties provide moral support, raise awareness, and help to provide medical care to injured protesters arriving from Iran.
The leader of the KDPI in Iran said he was aware of Iran's demands. He denied that they had ever smuggled weapons to or from any country.
We hope the Kurdish region won't be affected by these threats.
A senior Kurdish official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Iran ignores the fact that no weapons are being smuggled from Iraq to Iran.
Since the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution, some Kurdish groups have been engaged in a low-intensity conflict with Tehran, which has led to many members seeking political exile in Iraq.
The opposition in Iraq carries weapons for self defense.
Iran claims that Mossad agents are in Iraqi Kurdish areas.
Iran claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the US in Irbil. Kurdish officials have denied that there is a strategic center in the area.
Iran's Foreign Minister accused Israel and some Western politicians of planning a civil war in Iran.
The Iranian regime is paranoid, according to a program director. They believe Mossad is sending weapons and fighters to Kurdish areas in Iran.
She said that a sweep operation in northern Iraq would support the regime's public narrative that outside forces foment the unrest and would address a longstanding dispute with the Iraqi Kurds.
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