U.S. Threatens Iraq Following Israeli Reports Claiming Iran Is Planning Large Attack From There

Iraq received a direct threat from the United States following Hebrew media reports accusing Iran of planning a large-scale attack on Israel in cooperation with Shiite armed factions, in what appears to be an attempt to fabricate a casus belli for an operation in the country.

These claims started from Walla. The Hebrew news outlet reported on October 31 that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Mossad spy agency are preparing for a “developing threat” against Israel from pro-Iranian factions in Iraq.

The report, which cites sources from the IDF’s Northern Command, says that the Iranians have been investing significant resources in “pro-Iranian militias and terrorist infrastructure in Iraq,” so that, on the day of command, they can attack Israel from the air and by land.

It was also reported that recently, Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, the external operation branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC), visited Iraq and met with senior leaders from these factions.

The main method of attack would likely involve launching missiles and drones from Iraqi territory, according to Walla, which said that a secondary option could be a ground maneuver beginning in Iraq, moving through Syria, and potentially reaching the Israel-Jordan border.

Iraqi factions engaged in a lengthy confrontation with Israel following the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip more than two years ago, launching missile and drone attacks against targets in the country.

Threatening messages were conveyed from Israel to Iraq through the U.S. and other channels last year, and a ceasefire was reached.

Following the release of Walla’s report, Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbasi disclosed that U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directly warned the country of imminent military operations in the region, urging it to restrain pro-Iranian factions operating within its borders.

Speaking in a televised interview late November 1, al-Abbasi said the phone call, made via the U.S. chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, marked the clearest warning yet from the White House since renewed tensions with Tehran and its regional allies.

“Hegseth told us clearly that operations are coming and that we must ensure no faction in Iraq interferes,” al-Abbasi said. “He concluded the call with, ‘This is your final notice — and you know very well how this administration will respond.’”

These factions, including the powerful Kataib Hezbollah which was named in Walla’s report, are all part of the Popular Mobilization Forces. This umbrella group is formally and legally part of the Iraqi Armed Forces and reports directly to the prime minister.

According to al-Abbasi, the 11-minute call included Iraq’s top military brass, the Chief of Staff, Deputy Joint Operations Commander, and Director of Military Intelligence.

Hegseth’s closing remarks during the call unsettled Baghdad’s political circles, especially pro-Iranian factions, according to Asharq Al-Awsat

“This message was a turning point,” a senior Iraqi military source told the London-based Arab newspaper. “It was not just a routine consultation, it was an ultimatum.”

Speaking to Reuters on November 3, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani pledged to bring factions under government control, but said that this would be only possible if the U.S.-led coalition withdraws from the country.

“There is no ISIS. Security and stability? Thank God it’s there … so give me the excuse for the presence of 86 states (in a coalition),” he told the news agency in an interview in Baghdad, referring to the number of countries that have participated in the coalition since it was formed in 2014.

“Then, for sure there will be a clear program to end any arms outside of state institutions. This is the demand of all,” he said, noting factions could enter official security forces or get into politics by laying down their arms.

Walla’s report and Hegseth’s threat both appear to be an attempt to fabricate a casus belli for an operation against pro-Iranian factions in Iraq.

Both the Iraqi government and the factions are clearly not looking for a confrontation with the U.S. and Israel. However, this may not be enough if the other side is determined to escalate. A confrontation could break out if Israel renewed its war on Hezbollah in Lebanon, or launched another attack against Iran. What Hegseth told al-Abbasi indicates that such developments could take place soon.

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