Threats of the PKK against the security Islamic Republic of Iran (2015 to 2025)

Subject Areas : Iranian Political Research

Rashid Recabian ^{1 *} , Mahdi Padervand ² , Fatemeh Zareei ³

1 - Associate Professor, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran
2 - Master's degree, Department of International Relations, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
3 - Master's degree, Department of International Relations, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

Received: 2025-05-20 Accepted : 2025-07-27 Published : 2025-10-02

Keywords: PKK Group, Terrorism, Separatism, Iran, Narcoterrorism, Narcotics, Security.,

Abstract :

Today, drug trafficking has become a vital financial source for terrorist groups in Central Asia and the Middle East, including the PKK group. This phenomenon, known as "narcoterrorism," by strengthening the economic foundation of these groups, has created deep security threats for transit route countries, especially those that are in conflict with these groups. The Islamic Republic of Iran, due to its sensitive geopolitical position (connecting Central Asia to West Asia), possessing a Kurdish population, and long-standing conflict with branches such as PJAK, is exposed to these threats. In this regard, the aim of the present research is to investigate the narcoterrorism threats of the PKK against Iran's security in the period 2015-2025. The main research question is: What threats has PKK narcoterrorism created for the Islamic Republic of Iran? This study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and the theoretical framework of the Copenhagen School (with a focus on securitization and multi-faceted threats), and data were collected through documentary study (books and articles). The findings and results of the research indicate that the PKK, through branches such as PJAK, has created significant security (military and border), political (weakening sovereignty by inciting separatism), economic (destruction of infrastructure and expansion of the informal economy related to drugs), and social-psychological (cultural infiltration and instilling insecurity) threats against Iran. The narcoterrorism of the PKK group and branches such as PJAK, by combining drug trafficking and violent activities, has created a multi-dimensional and sustainable threat to the national security, territorial integrity, and socio-economic stability of the Islamic Republic of Iran during the studied decade (2015-2025). Combating this phenomenon requires a comprehensive, cross-border approach based on regional and international cooperation.

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