Iraq faces test as Baghdad confronts Iran-backed militias

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq is approaching a crucial era as Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi increases pressure on Iran-backed armed organizations, while the ongoing US-Iran confrontation and interruptions in shipping via the Strait of Hormuz pose threats to the country’s security and economy. Since the war started in February 2026, Iraq has been under increasing pressure to prevent armed groups from pulling the nation into a larger regional conflict. The militias’ military activity and political influence have hampered Baghdad’s attempts to impose complete state authority over security decisions. According to rumors, Al-Zaidi is contemplating arresting members of Iran-backed groups as part of his attempts to uphold government authority. The disarmament process, which was originally scheduled to complete in September, has been extended until June 2027; however, numerous armed groups continue to refuse to relinquish their weapons. The conflict has escalated after a series of diplomatic talks, including with US special envoy Tom Barrack. On November 5, Barrack met with Al-Zaidi in Baghdad to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and measures to prevent the crisis from spreading. He also met with Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council President, Faiq Zaidan, and emphasized the necessity of strong institutions and the rule of law. The Baghdad discussions came soon after al-Zaidi spoke with US President Donald Trump over the phone, during which the Iraqi leader repeated that his nation would not allow its land to be used to attack other governments. Following the conversation and Barrack’s visit, Al-Zaidi made an unannounced visit to Tehran, which the Iraqi ambassador to Iran later confirmed. According to Iranian media, the Prime Minister met with key officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as Baghdad worked to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran. The diplomatic action emphasizes Iraq’s delicate position between the US and Iran. While Baghdad seeks to negotiate between the two nations, it is also under pressure to tackle armed organizations with long-standing links to Tehran. The government has taken other efforts to curb militia involvement, including ordering the cancelation of three commercial contracts at Mosul International Airport due to alleged ties to armed groups. As tensions with Iraq’s young Prime Minister rose, armed organizations such as Kataib Hezbollah condemned the decision. Meanwhile, interruptions at the Strait of Hormuz have highlighted Iraq’s economic fragility. The nation is significantly reliant on oil exports flowing through the vital canal, thus disruptions to shipping pose a direct danger to government income, public expenditure, and economic stability. Attacks on key infrastructure, such as the Khor Mor gas field in the Kurdistan Region, have raised worries about the impact armed conflict may have on Iraq’s energy supply and business climate. The latest attack’s perpetrator has yet to be identified definitively. For Iraq, the task is no longer only balancing ties with Washington and Tehran. It is now a question of whether Baghdad can prevent armed groups from making autonomous military choices, endanger national infrastructure, and undermine the legitimacy of political institutions. The next several months will decide whether Iraq progresses toward a future in which the state controls all weapons and security choices or whether it remains subject to militia influence and regional crises beyond its control.