ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) on Sunday congratulated Donald Trump for his election victory, while calling for the power of the Iranian government to be curtailed.“The power of this regime (Iran) has to be curtailed in the region and tough pressure must be placed on it,” said Mustafa Hijri, leader of the PDKI, which calls for the armed overthrow of Iran’s clerical regime.“Iran has unprecedentedly expanded its authority and identity in the Middle East to cause chaos, destruction and conflict,” Hijri said in a statement.“I would like to warmly congratulate you,” Hejri said in addressing Trump, while calling for the incoming administration to “recognize the right of Iran’s different nations, including the Kurds.”

With some 2,000 guerrilla fighters based in remote bordering areas of Iran, the PDKI is historically considered the most formidable military organization opposing the Islamic Republic in Tehran.

The party says it still enjoys considerable influence among Kurds in Iran to bring pressure on the government in Tehran, despite a decades-old ceasefire that sent the party into exile in the Kurdistan Region.