Iran iraq

Iraq's government struggling amid threats of rebellion, protests, rising Iran tensions - analysis

The dispute comes amid tensions between Baghdad and Tehran and renewed protests in the Iraqi capital marking the anniversary of the 2019 Tishreen movement.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi security forces stand at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after Iraq closed the crossing following airstrikes on the Iranian side that security sources said killed an Iraqi citizen, Iraq, April 4, 2026.
Iraqi security forces stand at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after Iraq closed the crossing following airstrikes on the Iranian side that security sources said killed an Iraqi citizen, Iraq, April 4, 2026.

Iraq braces for renewed Iran conflict after 1,000 strikes on Kurdistan, 600 militia attacks

Baghdad shut crossings with Iran this week, and the Kurdistan Region denied hosting Ukrainian drones, as Iraq moves to avoid being drawn into another round of fighting.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Supporters of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) chant slogans and wave flags at a rally celebrating the end of the U.S. military presence in Iraq on September 30, 2026 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Mysterious explosion hits Baghdad, injuring soldiers from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq

Iraq authorities are trying to downplay the idea that this site was struck by a munition, with investigations framing it as an accident rather than an attack.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Image Reboot: A female fighter from from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) trains at a base near Erbil, Iraq, in Feb.

Islamic regime attacks against Kurdish forces affect both Kurds in Iran, Iraq as tensions rise

More than 1,000 drones have been fired against Kurdish forces in Iraq, while Kurds in both Iran and Iraq fear that the strikes will reach their homes.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Enduring aggression: Iran's proxy militias' relentless offensive

The latest group to claim to attack Israel is in Iraq, however it is unclear if these "attacks" go beyond mere claims and whether Iran is putting out propaganda to keep up the pressure on Israel.

MAY 5, 2024BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
HEZBOLLAH MEMBERS hold flags during a rally marking the annual Hezbollah Martyrs’ Day, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, last month

Iraq's struggle: divided between the US coalition and becoming an Iranian proxy-state

Iraq needs a strong ally like the US to face a potential ISIS rebirth. However, the government is trying to balance its ties with both the US and Iran by allowing Iran to back Shia militias there.

APRIL 15, 2024ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE
US Army soldiers keep watch on the US embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq January 1, 2020

Iran consistently violates diplomatic protection and international law - opinion

To deter future Israeli attacks, Iran would need to retaliate directly against Israel. However, such action could provoke a severe response from the IDF.

APRIL 11, 2024ByFARHAD REZAEI
IRAN’S AMBASSADOR to the UN Zahra Ershadi speaks at a Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security, on April 2, the day after an airstrike destroyed the Iranian Consulate in Damascus.

Iran-backed Iraqi terrorists claim to target Israeli power plant

Iranian media claims that Iraqi group targeted a power plan near Tel Aviv with a drone.

MARCH 21, 2024BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Baghdad

Iraq’s ruling coalition may call for early elections

A poll by the nongovernmental Iraq Statistics Organization found Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani to have an approval rate of 51%, the highest of any Iraqi official. 

MARCH 10, 2024ByHUDHAIFA EBRAHIM/THE MEDIA LINE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al Sudani in Munich, Germany, on February 18 2023.

Target: Kataib Hezbollah - why the latest US airstrike is a gamechanger

The killing of an Iranian-backed militia leader in Iraq will likely galvanize Iran’s allies in the country to try to expel the US.

FEBRUARY 8, 2024BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A member of Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces) holds a flag of Kataib Hezbollah militia group during a protest to condemn air strikes on their bases, outside the main gate of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq December 31, 2019.

The Iran-Israel war by proxy - opinion

There is undoubtedly a clear conflict between, on one side, Iran and its proxies, and on the other, the US and Israel.

FEBRUARY 1, 2024BySALEM ALKETBI
Iran flag and Israel flag

Does Iran expect US retaliation for drone killing in Jordan? - analysis

Iran’s calculations are based on years in which Iran has carried out attacks around the region and has never faced any retaliation.

JANUARY 30, 2024BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei looks on during a meeting at the IRGC Aerospace Force achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran November 19, 2023

Pakistan recalls ambassador from Iran, bars Iranian envoy from returning

The foreign ministry said Iran's strike on targets in Pakistani terrritory was an unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan's sovereignty and was "unacceptable."

JANUARY 17, 2024ByREUTERS
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi speak during a Joint Inauguration of the Polan-Gabd Electricity Transmission Line, at Mand-Pishin border crossing point, in Pishin, Pakistan May 18, 2023.

Iran struck Iraqi city because they can't hit Israel, Iraqi FM says

Hussein said there weren't any Mossad agents and explained that four people were killed and six were injured by the Iranian strike and were Iraqi Kurds.

JANUARY 17, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Smoke rises in the aftermath of a missile attack by Iran's Revolutionary Guards on what they said was the headquarters of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, in Erbil, Iraq January 16, 2024.