WASHINGTON – Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) sent a letter to top Trump Administration officials, Director Ratcliffe, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Hegseth, and Secretary Lutnick demanding clarity regarding recent reports that the U.S. may provide weapons to Kurdish opposition groups operating against the Iranian regime.
“It is critical that United States policy remains firmly grounded in support for the Iranian people which has lamentably not been put forward by the Trump Administration as an objective of this military campaign,” said Rep. Ansari. “Any strategy toward opposing the brutal Islamic Republic regime should prioritize helping the people of Iran achieve a future defined by dignity, freedom, stability, and democratic governance. Ensuring that U.S. actions align with those values—and do not unintentionally undermine them—must remain a central consideration.”
Read the letter HERE and below.
To Director Ratcliffe, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Hegseth, and Secretary Lutnick,
In contradiction to statements made by Secretary Rubio, recent reporting indicates that the United States may be considering or is pursuing support for Kurdish opposition groups operating along the Iran–Iraq border as part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on the Iranian regime. Reports suggest that U.S. officials, including President Trump, have held discussions with Iranian Kurdish militias about potential operations against Iranian regime forces in western Iran, and that these groups have been offered intelligence support, logistical assistance including “extensive air cover,” and possibly weapons and firearms. Further reporting has suggested that other militant extremist groups such as the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), which was formerly designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department, could be involved as well.
While the precise scope of any U.S. involvement remains unclear, these reports raise serious questions about the legal authorities underpinning such activities, the extent of Congressional notification and oversight, and the mechanisms in place to track funding and weapons transfers to ensure they are not diverted or used in ways that could escalate regional tensions, undermine U.S. interests and put more U.S. servicemembers at risk, cause a devastating civil war in Iran, or prevent a democratic future for the Iranian people.
Given the significant strategic, legal, and humanitarian implications of such actions, I request additional information about the authorities, oversight mechanisms, and safeguards involved in these operations.
Specifically, I request clarification on the following points:
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Legal Authorities:
Under what statutory or executive authorities were these activities authorized? Were they conducted pursuant to a presidential finding, existing counterterrorism authorities, or another legal framework?
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Congressional Notification and Oversight:
What steps, if any, were taken to notify or brief Congress regarding these activities?
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Funding Sources and Accountability:
What appropriated funds or other financial mechanisms are being used to support these operations? What systems are in place to track and audit the expenditure of these funds to ensure accountability and prevent misuse?
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Arms Transfers and End-Use Monitoring:
What procedures are being used to track weapons and equipment provided to militant groups for the purpose of operating in Iran and to vet them appropriately? What end-use monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure that arms do not fall into the wrong hands, contribute to regional instability, or become diverted to unauthorized actors?
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Risk Assessment and Regional Stability:
What assessments have been conducted regarding the possibility that such support for militant groups could empower extremist elements, or result in a catastrophic civil war?
It is critical that United States policy remains firmly grounded in support for the Iranian people which has lamentably not been put forward by the Trump Administration as an objective of this military campaign. Any strategy toward opposing the brutal Islamic Republic regime should prioritize helping the people of Iran achieve a future defined by dignity, freedom, stability, and democratic governance. Ensuring that U.S. actions align with those values—and do not unintentionally undermine them—must remain a central consideration.
Thank you for your attention to this inquiry. Please provide a written response no later than March 12, 2026.
Sincerely,
Yassamin Ansari
Member of Congress
