Iraq

Saudi Arabia, Middle East neighbors pressure Iraq to rein in Iranian-backed militias - analysis

Iranian-backed militias are using Iraq as a staging ground to launch attacks against neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait, and Jordan.

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a parliamentary session to vote in a new government headed by Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister, at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 14, 2026.
Security personnel stand guard on the day of a funeral procession for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and US airstrikes, in Najaf, Iraq, July 8, 2026.

US troop pullback raises fears of more attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan - analysis

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu emerged from Tuesday’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, calling it one of the best he has ever had, which is a notable assessment, considering how many times the two men have met over the years.

Beyond the optics: Is the Netanyahu-Trump rift real, or are they still aligned on Iran?

Damage at a site belonging to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) following airstrikes that the PMF said were carried out by US and Saudi forces, in Bartella, Nineveh province, Iraq, July 29, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone.

Middle East divided as Iran war, Houthi-Saudi Arabia tensions continue to ramp up


US-Saudi Arabia airstrikes target Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces militia in Iraq

The strikes followed a series of drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. The United States has made clear that it believes Iran-directed militias are responsible for the escalation.

A man looks on near damage at a site belonging to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) following airstrikes that the PMF said were carried out by US and Saudi forces, in Bartella, Nineveh province, Iraq, July 29, 2026.

Iraqi PM Zaidi condemns US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office denounced the strikes, stating that it is the Iraqi government’s responsibility to deal with security concerns originating within its borders.

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a parliamentary session to vote in a new government headed by Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister, at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 14, 2026.

US-Saudi joint strikes on Iran-backed militias are a milestone in cooperation - analysis

US CENTCOM said that American forces and “the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq, July 28, against Iran-aligned terrorists that the IRGC directed to attack US forces."

A US military aircraft flies at an unknown location, during what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iran, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on July 20, 2026.

US, Saudi Arabia target Tehran-backed militias in Iraq after Iranian strikes on bases

A US official told The Jerusalem Post that Iran had launched at least four ballistic missiles towards a US military base in Jordan, adding that "This was a major attack."

Smoke seen following reported missile launch from Iran toward Jordan, July 22, 2026.

Iraq's militia disarmament won't stop Iran using proxies across Middle East - analysis

Iran is activating allied militias in Iraq to launch drones at Saudi Arabia and Kurdistan, while threatening Jordan, Syria, Israel and US forces.

Security personnel stand guard on the day of a funeral procession for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and US airstrikes, in Najaf, Iraq, July 8, 2026.

Iran escalates drone attacks targeting Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq

The attacks have become increasingly deadly, with around nine people killed in July. Drone attacks were also launched by Iranian-backed militias from areas near Mosul, according to local officials.

 Iranian drones are displayed during a ceremony of the joining new drones to the Iranian Army's combat organisation in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on January 13, 2025.

Drones intercepted over Jordan likely launched by Iran-backed Iraqi militias, source tells 'Post'

Iran-backed Shi'ite militias in Iraq are suspected of launching three drones intercepted over Jordan on Monday and Tuesday.

Mourners march in the funeral of a Kataib Hezbollah terrorist after a US airstrike on a Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters near the Iraq-Syria border, pictured in Baghdad, March 2, 2026.

Voices from the Arab press: Iranian calamities, Netanyahu's rule, and state legitimacy

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

Military equipment targeted at an unknown location, during what US CENTCOM says are strikes on Iran, in this video screengrab released July 20.

Why Iran will not be another Libya if the regime is overthrown - opinion

Iraq and Libya were 20th-century constructs. Prior to the 20th century, neither existed as a unified nation-state. Applying the Iraq or Libya framework to Iran is a severe strategic mistake. 

A girl waves a Libyan flag, during celebrations commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2011 revolution in Tripoli, Libya February 17, 2021.

UN chief visit to Syria seen by Damascus as key step towards reconstruction after war - analysis

UN Chief António Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for the first visit by a UN chief in 17 years, pledging support as Syria seeks reconstruction and renewed international ties.

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) receives UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the People's Palace in Damascus on July 25, 2026.