On the 7th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters aboard Air Force One bound for Miami, Florida. AFP Yonhap News

On the 7th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he does not want Kurdish involvement in the war with Iran. This differs from an earlier media interview in which he had said he “fully supports it” regarding the possibility of Kurdish attacks on Iran.

After attending a dignified transfer ceremony for the remains of U.S. service members at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware that day, Trump spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Florida, saying, “I do not want the Kurds to get involved,” and, “Even without their involvement, the war is already sufficiently complicated.” He added, “We have a very friendly relationship with the Kurds, but we do not want to make the war more complicated,” and explained, “They are willing to get involved, but I told them not to.”

This change in stance appears to reflect a decision not to widen the front, in consideration of concerns that if the Kurds enter the war, the clash with Iran could spread across the entire Middle East. The Kurds are the largest stateless nation in the world, with about 30 million to 40 million people living across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, and they have long aimed to secure an independent state or autonomous territory.

Trump hinted at the possibility of change regarding whether Iran may see new leadership after the war, saying, “I cannot say, but it may not be unlikely.” He also asserted that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to Gulf countries and announced a halt to attacks, calling it “surrender” and adding, “He has effectively surrendered to those countries and to us.”

He then emphasized, “We are not seeking an agreement with Iran,” adding, “Iran wants an agreement, but we do not.” Regarding the next leadership in Iran, he said, “They should choose a president who will not lead Iran into war.”