Iraq’s Balancing Act: Baghdad Cracks Down on Iranian-Backed Militias While Courting Tehran

Iraq’s newly appointed Prime Minister finds himself caught between two powerful forces following recent American and Saudi strikes against Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) headquarters. The Iranian-backed militias, which have become increasingly influential in Iraqi politics and security affairs, represent a crucial power base, yet their presence creates significant tensions with the United States and regional rivals. This precarious situation has left Baghdad attempting an extraordinarily difficult diplomatic tightrope walk—simultaneously appeasing Washington’s demands for militia disbandment whilst maintaining crucial relationships with Tehran.

The recent military strikes have forced Iraq’s hand more than ever. American and Saudi operations against the PMF facilities represent direct pressure on the Iraqi government to rein in these armed groups, which operate with considerable autonomy despite their nominal integration into Iraq’s security forces. However, Iran’s countermeasures suggest it has no intention of loosening its grip on Iraqi politics. Tehran continues to strengthen its influence over the militias, effectively deepening Baghdad’s dependency on Iranian support for internal stability.

Iraq’s government faces an almost impossible choice: satisfy American demands to weaken Iranian-backed forces, or risk becoming a staging ground for Iranian regional operations. The country’s leadership has attempted to frame the issue as a matter of national sovereignty, arguing that Iraq must control all armed forces operating within its borders. Yet with Iranian influence deeply embedded in Iraqi society, security services, and political institutions, such assertions ring increasingly hollow.

The ramifications of Iraq’s internal struggle extend far beyond its borders, directly affecting regional stability and Israel’s security calculations. Should Iran successfully consolidate control over Iraqi militias and territory, it would create a continuous corridor of Iranian influence from Tehran to the Mediterranean, fundamentally altering the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape. Iraq’s inability to definitively choose sides means the country risks becoming a permanent proxy battleground for larger regional and international powers.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.