The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The United States has increased pressure on Iraq to distance itself from Iran and rein in Iran-backed militias, suspending parts of its security cooperation with Baghdad, The New York Times reported.
Washington has called on the Iraqi government to dismantle
militia groups linked to Iran that have recently carried out attacks on U.S.
personnel and facilities in Iraq.
A U.S. State Department official said Washington “will not
tolerate attacks on U.S. interests” and expects Baghdad to take immediate
action against such groups.
According to Iraqi officials, the suspension includes joint
counterterrorism operations, training programs and logistical support for Iraqi
security forces.
The move comes as Iraq faces growing pressure to balance its
ties with both Washington and Tehran, particularly amid heightened regional
tensions.
Recent attacks have targeted U.S. diplomatic and military
sites, including areas near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Iran-backed militias
have claimed responsibility for some of the incidents.
The United States has also warned its citizens against
traveling to Iraq and suspended consular services, citing security concerns.
Analysts say the situation underscores Iraq’s fragile
political landscape, where powerful militia groups remain deeply embedded in
the country’s military and political structures, complicating efforts to curb
their influence.
The development highlights rising tensions in the region as
competing interests between the United States and Iran continue to shape Iraq’s
security and political environment.
