The regional conflict surrounding Iran is seriously jeopardizing peace efforts between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, according to several sources cited by Reuters. Tensions stemming from the war have reportedly significantly hampered the already fragile talks between Ankara and Kurdish militants.
The peace process saw a symbolic breakthrough in October 2025 with a disarmament ceremony held in the Qandil Mountains, a historical stronghold of the PKK. This event was presented as an important step towards ending an armed conflict that has lasted for several decades.
But the regional fallout from the war in Iran is now complicating negotiations. According to Reuters, Kurdish officials are demanding more political and security guarantees, while Ankara remains cautious in a much more unstable regional context.
The PKK, considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in an armed struggle against the Turkish state for years. The conflict has caused tens of thousands of deaths since the 1980s and has profoundly scarred southeastern Turkey.
The war in the Middle East has also reignited Turkey's security concerns regarding Kurdish groups in Iraq and Syria. Turkish authorities fear that regional instability could facilitate the reorganization or strengthening of Kurdish armed movements near their borders.
In this context, the prospects for a lasting agreement appear increasingly uncertain. Several observers believe that security priorities related to the regional war now risk overshadowing diplomatic efforts between Ankara and the PKK.
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