The Biden administration has imposed new sanctions on Tehran and expressed support for protesters, as the Iranian government aids Russia in the Ukraine war and continues nuclear enrichment.
The armed groups, which have trained in the Kurdistan region for decades, face attacks from Iran and pressure from the Iraqi government to give up their weapons.
Most who took part in antigovernment rallies try to stay below the radar in their own country, but some, particularly those injured in the crackdown, have been forced to flee.
Two people were killed as security forces launched cross-border strikes at groups they accuse of fueling protests in Iran, which warned of more attacks.