Iraq’s balancing act is only getting harder as the war between the US and Iran widens
Summary
The United States and Saudi Arabia have conducted airstrikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, increasing pressure on the Iraqi government. Iraq is trying to maintain a balance between the U.S. and Iran as conflict between these countries escalates, but Iranian-supported militias operating within Iraq remain defiant against disarmament demands.Key Facts
- The U.S. and Saudi Arabia struck bases of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq, who are close to Iran.
- The PMF is officially part of Iraq’s security forces but often acts independently from the Iraqi government.
- Some PMF militias have attacked U.S. military and diplomatic sites in Iraq since the U.S. and Israel fought Iran starting in February 2026.
- Saudi Arabia accused Iraqi militias of drone attacks on its oil facilities, but the militias denied these claims.
- Iraq’s government ordered Iranian-aligned militias to disarm by September, but major groups refuse to comply.
- U.S. President Donald Trump supports Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi but likely expects him to control the militias.
- The PMF groups played a key role fighting Islamic State militants since 2014 but have maintained close ties with Iran.
- Experts say PMF brigades keep their original command systems despite nominal Iraqi military oversight.
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