The Biden administration has issued a stark warning to the Iraqi government, stressing that if Iraq does not prevent Iranian attacks from its territory, Israel may be forced to strike Iraq. This warning comes as the U.S. seeks to prevent further escalation of the regional conflict, particularly an Iranian retaliation against Israel from Iraqi soil, following Israel’s October 25 strike on Iranian targets. U.S. officials are concerned that such an attack would deepen the crisis and exacerbate tensions in the region.
Intelligence from both Israeli and U.S. sources suggests that Iran has been preparing for a significant attack against Israel, using Iraqi soil as a launching point. Since the Israeli strike, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has been moving drones and ballistic missiles to Shia militias in Iraq, where they are reportedly planning a joint assault against Israel. While the U.S. has warned Iran against these plans, there has been no indication that Iran is willing to back down or de-escalate its actions.
In an effort to prevent this escalation, U.S. officials, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have reached out directly to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
U.S. Warns Iraq to Prevent Iranian Attacks or Risk Israeli Retaliation in Regional Conflict
During discussions, they urged him to take immediate action to stop Shia militias from targeting U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, as well as to prevent attacks on Israel. Both Sullivan and Blinken made it clear to al-Sudani that Iraq’s failure to halt Iran-backed aggression could lead to Israeli military retaliation on Iraqi territory.
The Iraqi government, however, has expressed concerns about being drawn into the broader conflict between Israel and Iran. Prime Minister al-Sudani and his advisers have conveyed that they do not want Iraq to become a battleground in this regional dispute.
Despite this, pro-Iranian factions, particularly Shia militias, continue to carry out attacks against U.S. personnel and Israeli interests, complicating the Iraqi government’s position. Al-Sudani has reportedly increased efforts to press Israel not to follow through with its threats but faces significant challenges in curbing the militias’ actions.
The U.S. has stressed the importance of Iraq fulfilling its commitments to protect U.S. personnel and control armed groups on its soil. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that Iraq must prevent unauthorized attacks from militias and ensure that its territory is not used for acts of aggression against Israel. However, as tensions continue to rise, Iraq’s ability to navigate these competing pressures and prevent further conflict remains uncertain.
