Iran iraq

US withdrawal from Iraq will be watched closely by Iran-backed militias, Kurds - analysis

Iranian-backed militias and Iran have already targeted the Kurdistan region with more than 1,000 drone and missile attacks since February 2026, and it will be vulnerable if the US withdraws.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Damaged buildings after, what the security sources say, a drone struck an arms depot in an attack on the headquarters of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group in which two fighters were wounded, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in the town of Dekala in Iraq's Kurdistan region March 4, 2026.
A member of the Kurdistan Free Life Party, known as PJAK, stands inside a tunnel at a site near the Iraqi border with Iran, on the outskirts of Penjwen, in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq, March 24, 2026.

Iranian attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan aim to transform Iraq into buffer zone, spread war - analysis

Iran’s attacks seek to strike an area of Iraq that the regime assumes is not well protected, in a push to move fighting outside Iran and avoid insurrections inside.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Mourners attend the funeral of Haider al-Moussawi, head of the security unit in the Shi'ite armed group Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and senior Hezbollah figure Abu Ali Khalil, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Baghdad, Iraq, June 22, 2025.

Iraqi militias raise new conditions for disarmament, Iraq takes 'wait-and-see' approach - analysis

If the groups refuse to disarm, Iraq will take a wait-and-see approach, with many saying that they already gave up weapons to the PMF, while also being part of these forces.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Youths ride vehicles while waving flags of Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Hezbollah in Baghdad on June 15, 2026, during celebrations following the announcement of a deal to end the war between Iran and the US.

Iraq sentences militia member for kidnapping American journalist, in rare move against Iran proxies

“Iraq's Central Criminal Court has sentenced Amir Rahim Jabar Lazim to 15 years in prison under the Anti-Terrorism Law," read the announcement shared by the victim, journalist Shelly Kittelson.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Iran has declared war on the US in Iraq through its proxies - analysis

Iran has done this before, using pro-Iranian groups in Iraq to wage an insurgency against America after the US-led 2003 invasion of Iraq.

JULY 8, 2021BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
US Army soldiers keep watch on the US embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq January 1, 2020

Two attacks, less than 12 hours apart, target US forces in Iraq

Attacks on US forces in Iraq are rapidly increasing. This coincides with other issues in the region.

JULY 6, 2021BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A pair of US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fly over northern Iraq

Pro-Iran militias show off new drone air force

The use by various militias of UAVs, often supplied by Iran, dates to at least 2019. They have used drones against ISIS and against Kurds in an Iranian attack in Koya.

JUNE 13, 2021BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A supporter of Hashid Shaabi holds a picture of late Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis during a protest in Baghdad, Iraq, October 17, 2020

Turkey and Iran's power struggle in Iraq - opinion

The zero-sum game between Iran and Turkey over influence in Iraq is an attack on Iraq’s sovereignty and national dignity.

MARCH 15, 2021BySALEM ALKETBI
RAQI MILITIA head Faleh al-Fayyad, Deputy Commander Abdul Azizi Al-Mohammedawi, and Iranian Ambassador Iraj Masjedi mark the first anniversary of the killing of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in Baghdad, Iraq, in January.

Iran’s use of Iraq as a missile base: Threats and logistics - analysis

Tensions with Iran appear underpinned by similar discussions about deterrence

FEBRUARY 18, 2021BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
AN IRANIAN FLAG is pictured near in a missile during a military drill, with the participation of Iran’s air defense units in October. (West Asia News Agency/Reuters)

Rockets injured US personnel in Iraq, killed contractor: Will Biden act?

The coalition spokesperson Col. Wayne Marotto wrote that one civilian contractor was killed, five injured and one US service member was injured.

FEBRUARY 16, 2021BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A supporter of Hashid Shaabi holds a picture of late Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis during a protest in Baghdad, Iraq, October 17, 2020

IDF spokesperson: Iranian retaliation likely to come from Iraq, Yemen

In an interview given to the Saudi news website Elaph, Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman addressed Iran and the tactics deployed by the IDF in order to address the looming threat.

DECEMBER 26, 2020ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Hadi Zilberman

Iran could be gearing up for more attacks on US in Iraq

The Iraqi people are preparing an explosion of anger if US forces do not withdraw.

DECEMBER 16, 2020BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
US SOLDIERS take cover near Tal Afar, Iraq, where Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster was in command in 2004.

Iran and Iraq commit to boosting border cooperation and trade

Hussein called for implementing bilateral accords in areas including border cooperation, transportation and trade between the two countries.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020ByREUTERS
A military vehicle of members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and Iraqi Border Guards are seen on the Iraqi side of Mandali border crossing between Iraq and Iran, in Mandali, Iraq July 11, 2020.

‘The Americans are gone’: Iran happy US left Taji base

The base has been attacked a dozen times by rockets fired by pro-Iranian militias and three coalition personnel were killed there in March.

AUGUST 30, 2020BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iranian-backed militias stand on a tank close to the Syria-Iraq border