The Israeli military intercepted a “suspicious aerial target… heading toward Israel from the direction of Syria”, in addition to two more targets flying from the “eastern direction”.

The Israeli military reported downing a drone en route to Israel “from the eastern direction”; The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for launching a drone at the Port of Eilat.

The Israeli military reported the interception of a drone en route to Israel from the “eastern direction”; the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for multiple drone attacks against Israeli targets.

The President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region concluded a visit to Tehran after meeting with senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. According to a Kurdish readout, during a meeting with the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the two sides conferred on “the security situation and the cooperation and coordination between the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for maintaining peace and stability”, with Barzani highlighting that “the Kurdistan Region… will never be a source of threat to any party”.

The Israeli military reported the interception of a drone flying toward Israel from “the eastern direction”; the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on targets in Haifa and Eilat “in solidarity with the people of Gaza”.

KRG and Iraqi authorities reported that a drone attack on the Khor Mor gas field killed four and disrupted supplies; the U.S. “strongly condemn[ed]” the attack and urged the government to “conduct a full investigation and bring those responsible to justice”.

One member of the Popular Mobilisation Forces was killed and eight injured in an explosion at a base south of Baghdad; the U.S. and Israeli officials denied involvement.

Media reports citing U.S. and Iraqi sources reported that five rockets had been launched at U.S. forces based in north-eastern Syria, while the Ain al-Assad base in western Iraq was targeted with a drone; neither incident resulted in injuries.

In response to the 1 April strike, attributed to Israel, against its consulate and senior IRGC commanders in Damascus, Iran launched airstrikes against Israel. According to the IDF, Israel and allied forces intercepted 99 per cent of 300-plus missiles and drones fired from Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. “Only a few [ballistic missiles] crossed into Israeli territory… These fell at the Nevatim Air Force Base, causing only minor damage to infrastructure”, an Israeli military spokesperson indicated. President Biden condemned what he described as “an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel”. The following day, Iran’s military chief of staff highlighted that “our operations are over and we have no intention to continue them”, with the IRGC commander warning: “From now on, if the Zionist regime attacks our interests, assets, figures and citizens at any point, it will face counterattack from within the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

The Israeli military reported downing a drone that had entered Israeli airspace from the east near Eilat. Relatedly, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed that it had targeted a “vital goal” in Israel.

The Israeli military reported that “sirens sounded in Eilat following the identification of a suspicious aerial target that crossed from the east toward Israeli territory. The target fell in the area of the Gulf of Eilat. No injuries were reported and there was light damage caused to a building”. The building was part of an IDF base. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed to have struck “a vital objective... using appropriate weapons”. The following day, an IDF spokesperson indicated that the attack, which he described as “a very serious incident”, was “directed by Iran” and was carried out with an Iranian-made drone.

A U.S. diplomatic spokesperson confirmed the extension by 120 days of a sanctions waiver for Iraqi imports of Iranian electricity, noting that the funds could “only be used for transactions for the purchase of food, medicine, medical devices, agricultural products and other non-sanctionable transactions”.

Media reports citing unnamed security sources reported that six drones targeting a base hosting U.S. forces in eastern Syria had been intercepted.

U.S. Central Command announced that it had “conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kata’ib Hizbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region”. An Iraqi military spokesperson asserted that “American forces has [sic] repeated irresponsibly all the actions that would undermine the established understandings and hinder the initiation of bilateral dialogue… This trajectory compels the Iraqi government more than ever to terminate the mission of this coalition”.

Iran’s UN ambassador told the Security Council that “all of the resistance groups in the region are independent and their decisions and actions are motivated by… ending the illegal presence of the U.S. in their territories, stopping the genocide in Gaza and ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories. Therefore, any attempt to attribute these actions to Iran or its Armed forces is misleading, baseless and unacceptable”. He further claimed that “Iran has no military presence in Iraq, nor does it have bases or military advisers… In Syria, Iranian military advisers are legally present since they were invited officially by the Syrian government to fight terrorism… Claims that Iran's bases in Iraq and Syria were attacked are rejected as unfounded and regarded as attempts to shift attention away from the U.S.’s aggressive actions”.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported six fatalities in a drone attack against a base in eastern Syria that also hosts U.S. forces; The Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq took responsibility for the attack.

A U.S. Treasury spokesperson applauded “continued steps taken by the Central Bank of Iraq to protect the Iraqi financial system from abuse, which has led to legitimate Iraqi banks achieving international connectivity through correspondent banking relationships” amid reports of dollar transaction bans against eight institutions.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that in response to a 28 January attack that killed 3 U.S. soldiers and injured over 40, the U.S. “conducted strikes on seven facilities, which included more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militias use to attack U.S. forces… The President has direction additional actions”. President Biden affirmed that “our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing. The U.S. does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond”. The Iraqi government characterised the strikes as an “act of aggression against Iraq's sovereignty”, while confirming sixteen fatalities, including civilians, and 25 injuries. It further noted: “The presence of the international coalition, which deviated from its assigned tasks and granted mandate, has become a reason for endangering security and stability in Iraq”. The Syrian military also reported “many civilian and military” casualties, asserting “U.S. forces’ occupation of parts in Syria couldn’t continue”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson condemned the strikes as a “strategic mistake, which will have no result other than the escalation of tension and instability in the region”. “The root of the tension and crisis in the region is the occupation of the Israeli regime and the continuation of its military operations in Gaza”, he reaffirmed.

Discussing a deadly 28 January attack in Jordan, attributed to the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin asserted that “we will have a multi-tiered response… We have the ability to respond in a number of times depending on what the situation is”. He further noted that “how much Iran knew or didn't know, we don't know, but it really doesn't matter because Iran sponsors these groups, it funds these groups and in some cases, it trains these groups on advanced conventional weapons… Without that facilitation, these kinds of things don't happen”.

A Pentagon spokesperson pledged a U.S. response to a deadly 28 January attack in Jordan, attributed to the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq, asserting: “While we do not seek to escalate tensions in the region, we will also take all necessary actions to protect our troops, our facilities and our interests”. Referring to an announcement by Kata’ib Hizbollah, one of the main groups in that coalition, of halting their attacks, the spokesperson said that “actions speak louder than words”, adding: “There has been three attacks” since 28 January. Relatedly, a Pentagon official tallied a total of 166 attacks against U.S. forces since 17 October in Iraq, Syria and Jordan.

The Treasury Department identified “Al-Huda Bank, an Iraqi bank that serves as a conduit for terrorist financing, as a foreign financial institution of primary money laundering concern”, in addition to designating the bank’s owner. It contended that “Al-Huda Bank and its foreign sponsors, including Iran and its proxy groups, divert funds that could otherwise support legitimate business and the economic aspirations of the Iraqi people. These bad actors fuel violence that threatens the stability of Iraq and the lives of U.S. and Iraqi citizens alike”. The announcement coincided with a visit by a senior Treasury official to Baghdad.

CENTCOM confirmed that “three U.S. service members were killed, and multiple personnel were injured from a one-way attack UAS that impacted on a base in north east Jordan, near the Syrian border”. President Biden stated that “while we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq… We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing”. The following day, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson maintained that “Iran is not involved in the resistance groups’ decisions about how to support the Palestinian people or defend themselves and the people of their countries in the face of any aggression and occupation”.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced an agreement to launch “working group meetings of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission (HMC)”, which would “enable the transition to an enduring bilateral security partnership”. Iraq’s foreign ministry stated that the discussions would aim “to formulate a specific and clear timetable that specifies the duration of the presence of the international coalition’s advisors in Iraq and to begin the deliberate gradual reduction of its advisors on Iraqi soil”. Later, a Pentagon spokesperson asserted: “We’ve received no request from the government of Iraq to withdraw our forces… The HMC, it’s a working group to determine what our future looks like together with Iraq in terms of our bilateral relationships”.

Kurdish authorities reported downing a drone fired by “outlaw militia groups” at a base hosting U.S.-led counter-ISIS forces in Erbil. The same day, a “suspected drone” struck a gas field in Sulaimaniya. The State Department denounced what it assessed was an “attack by Iran-aligned militia groups in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), which damaged civilian infrastructure and has jeopardised access to power throughout the IKR”.

CENTCOM announced that “in response to attacks by the Iranian-backed militia group Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH), including the attack on al-Assad Airbase in western Iraq on 20 January… CENTCOM forces conducted unilateral airstrikes against three facilities used by Iranian-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq. These strikes targeted KH headquarters, storage and training locations for rocket, missile and one-way attack UAV capabilities”. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin underscored that “we do not seek to escalate conflict in the region. We are fully prepared to take further measures to protect our people and our facilities. We call on these groups and their Iranian sponsors to immediately cease these attacks”. The Iraqi prime minister’s office characterised the attack as “clear determination to harm security and stability in Iraq”, describing the targets as “locations of Iraqi military units from the army and the Popular Mobilisation Forces”. The same day, there were reports of drone attacks against the Ain al-Assad base.

The U.S. sanctioned “Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad and its CEO for providing assistance to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon”, in addition to listing “two Iraq-registered aircraft owned by Fly Baghdad… as blocked property”. The U.S. also designated “three leaders and supporters of one of the IRGC-QF’s main Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH), as well as a business that moves and launders funds for KH”. The State Department contended that “the IRGC-QF and Iran-aligned militia groups pose a significant threat to the Middle East region… The U.S. remains committed to exposing and taking actions against individuals and groups that abuse their local economies and engage in illegal activities that support terrorist groups destabilising the region”.

CENTCOM confirmed that “multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in western Iraq targeting al-Assad Airbase. Most of the missiles were intercepted by the base’s air defence systems while others impacted on the base… A number of U.S. personnel are undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries. At least one Iraqi service member was wounded”. Later, the Pentagon confirmed that four U.S. personnel were wounded but “all have returned to duty”. A White House official warned that “we are going to respond... to establish deterrence in these situations and to hold these groups accountable that continue to attack us”.

A Pentagon spokesperson tallied a total of 140 attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since mid-October 2023; 57 in Iraq and 83 in Syria.

The IRGC announced that “in response to the recent evil acts of the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] in martyring IRGC and resistance commanders”, it had fired missiles at what was alleged to be “one of the main headquarters of Israel’s spying agency Mossad in Iraq’s Kurdistan region… This Mossad headquarters has been working for espionage operations and a center for terror attacks planning in the region”. The prime minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq condemned the attack, which led to several civilian fatalities, and the U.S. likewise denounced what it called a “reckless” action. The IRGC also declared that “in response to the recent crimes of terrorist groups… in Kerman and Rasak, [it] identified and destroyed a number of key terror commanders and elements, especially Daesh [ie, ISIS], in the occupied territories of Syria”. The following day, Iranian media reported Iranian missile strikes against Jeish al-Adl targets in Pakistan, whose foreign ministry denounced the attack as “completely unacceptable” while confirming two civilian fatalities. On 18 January, Pakistan conducted what it described as “a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts” in south east Iran.

Iran’s Navy declared that in response to the 2023 U.S. seizure of an Iranian oil cargo aboard the Suez Rajan, they had seized “the oil tanker renamed St Nicholas” in the Gulf of Oman. A Turkish refiner confirmed that it had purchased the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel’s cargo from Iraq. The White House said Iran’s “provocative and unacceptable actions need to stop”, and urged the ship’s release.

Prime Minister al-Sudani opined that “there is a need to reorganise this relationship [between Iraq and the U.S-led counter-ISIS coalition] so that it is not a target or justification for any party, internal or foreign, to tamper with stability in Iraq and the region”. He further emphasised the need for “a process of understanding and dialogue” for the coalition’s departure, adding: “Let’s agree on a time frame that is, honestly, quick, so that they don’t remain long and the attacks keep happening… Ending its presence will prevent more tensions and the entanglement of internal and regional security issues”.

Kurdish authorities reported the downing of a drone at Erbil airport; the Islamic Resistance claimed responsibility for targeting facilities hosting U.S.-led counter-ISIS forces.

Media reports citing Iraqi army sources indicated that on 8 January, “a U.S. air strike on a rocket launcher… foiled an attack on Ain al-Assad air base”. The same day, a U.S. spokesperson tallied a total of 127 attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since mid-October 2023.

A Pentagon spokesperson reiterated that U.S. forces were in Iraq “at the invitation of the government… We are going to continue to stay in close consultation with the Iraqi government when it comes to U.S. force presence, in particular the safety and security of those forces”.

CENTCOM reported that “on 3 January, Iraqi police in Babylon discovered a land attack cruise missile of Iranian design that failed to launch. The use of Iranian supplied munitions by terrorist groups within Iraq and Syria endanger Coalition forces and local residents. The Coalition is appreciative of the efforts of the legitimate security forces in Iraq for their efforts to prevent future attacks”.

A Pentagon spokesperson announced that in Iraq, “U.S. forces took necessary and proportionate action against Mushtaq Jawad Kazim al-Jawari, a.ka. Abu Taqwa, who was a Harakat-al-Nujaba leader. Abu Taqwa, was actively involved in planning and carrying out attacks against American personnel”. Another member of Harakat al-Nujaba was also killed during the strike. The spokesperson underscored that “the strike was taken in self-defence, that no civilians were harmed and that no infrastructure or facilities were struck”. The Iraqi prime minister’s office “unequivocally condemned” the attack, asserting: “We view this action as a dangerous escalation and assault on Iraq, diverging from the spirit and the text of the mandate and the mission for which the Global Coalition was established in Iraq”. The following they, Prime Minister al-Sudani emphasised Iraq’s “firm position in ending the existence of the international coalition after the justifications for its existence have ended”, announcing that the "government is setting the date for the start of the bilateral committee to put arrangements to end the presence of the international coalition forces in Iraq permanently”.

Kurdish authorities reported that what they described as “outlaw militias” had fired an armed drone against a base in Erbil housing U.S. and allied forces. No casualties or damage were reported.

Kurdish authorities confirmed the interception of a drone inbound for an Erbil airbase housing U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition forces.

Media reports citing Iraqi officials indicated that “unidentified jets hit buildings and trucks being used by Iran-aligned militia groups in the Syrian town of al-Bukamal” near the border crossing with Iraq. A U.S. official was noted as asserting that “the U.S. did not conduct any defensive strikes overnight”.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq took credit for a drone that fell in the Golan Heights; no injuries were reported.

Israel’s defence minister asserted that “we are in a multi-arena war, we are being attacked from seven different sectors - Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran”, adding: “We have already reacted and acted in six… And I say here in the most explicit way – anyone who acts against us is a potential target, there is no immunity for anyone”.

The White House confirmed that “in northern Iraq, U.S. military personnel were targeted by a one-way attack drone. The attack wounded three U.S. service-members, one critically… The President directed strikes against three locations utilised by Kata’ib Hizbollah and affiliated groups focused specifically on unmanned aerial drone activities”. The Iraqi prime minister’s office condemned what it described as “an unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty”, reporting that “Iraqi military sites were targeted by the American side”, killing a service member and wounding eighteen individuals, including civilians.

CENTCOM confirmed a rocket attack against Ain al-Assad Air Base in Iraq, causing no injuries or damage.

Media reports citing U.S. sources tallied a total of 97 attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since mid-October.

Media reports citing a U.S. official confirmed a drone attack against Ain al-Assad base in Iraq, in addition to “several rockets” fired at a base hosting U.S. and coalition forces in north-eastern Syria, bringing the total number of attacks against U.S. forces since mid-October 2023 to 92.

U.S. and Iraqi officials confirmed rocket fire against the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, which was reported to have “caused minor damage but no casualties”. Prime Minister al-Sudani condemned the attack and ordered an investigation, asserting that “those responsible for such attacks insult Iraq, its stability and security”. U.S. sources reported at several additional attacks against U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq the same day. In a statement, the State Department said it “strongly condemn[ed] last night’s rocket attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and today’s attacks against facilities hosting U.S. personnel. The many Iran-aligned militias that operate freely in Iraq threaten the security and stability of Iraq, our personnel and our partners in the region”. It added: “The Iraqi Government has repeatedly committed to protect diplomatic missions as well as U.S. military personnel… This is non-negotiable, as is our right to self-defence”.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that the previous day, “near Kirkuk, Iraq, forces assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) engaged five militants preparing to launch a one-way attack drone. CJTF-OIR forces responded in self-defence with an armed U.S. unmanned aerial system, killing all five militants and destroying the drone”.

U.S. Central Command reported that the previous day, “fifteen 122mm rockets originating in Iraq were fired at the U.S. base Rumalyn Landing Zone in Syria. There were no injuries to personnel or damage to equipment”.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani and urged “the Iraqi government to fulfill its commitments to protect all installations hosting U.S. personnel at its invitation and to pursue those responsible for attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq”. An Iraqi readout noted “Iraq’s firm rejection of any attack on its territory, describing “the [21 November] incident in Jurf al-Nasr as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty”, while acknowledging “the Iraqi government's commitment to ensuring the safety of international coalition advisors in Iraq”.

Confirming that there had been no attacks against U.S. forces based in Iraq or Syria since 23 November, a Pentagon spokesperson underscored that “we’re going to continue to make force protection of our forces a priority, and if and when we are attacked, of course, we would respond appropriate... Those attacks are dangerous, I don’t want to minimise it, but have largely been ineffective. When we strike, it’s extremely effective, and every single time we strike, it diminishes IRGC capability in Iraq and Syria”.

A U.S. official reported drone and rocket attacks against four bases hosting U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria on 22-23 November, causing no casualties or damage.

A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed “an attack last night by Iran-backed militias using a close-range ballistic missile against U.S. and coalition forces at al-Assad Air Base in Iraq, which resulted in several non-serious injuries and some minor damage to infrastructure”. U.S. forces responded with “a self-defence strike against an Iranian-backed militia vehicle and a number of Iranian-backed militia personnel involved in this attack. This self-defence strike resulted in some hostile fatalities”. This self-defence strike resulted in some hostile fatalities”. U.S. Central Command subsequently reported having “conducted discrete, precision strikes against two facilities in Iraq… In direct response to the attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces by Iran and Iran-backed groups, including the one in Iraq on 21 November, which involved use of close-range ballistic missiles”. Kata’ib Hizbollah confirmed eight fatalities. The Iraqi government asserted that “the recent escalation in the Iraqi arena over the past two days is a dangerous development involving an unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty”.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned “six individuals affiliated with the Iran-aligned militia group (IAMG) Kata’ib Hizbollah (KH) based in Iraq”. “Trained, funded, and supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), KH is behind a spate of recent attacks against the U.S. and partners in Iraq and Syria following the horrific attacks by Hamas against Israel”, it noted. Concurrently, the State Department designated Kata’ib Sayid al-Shuhada (KSS) and its leader as Specially Designated Global Terrorists for threatening “the lives of both U.S. and Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS personnel in Iraq and Syria”. It asserted that Iran had “supported KSS, KH and other Iran-aligned militia groups with training, funding, and sophisticated weapons – including increasingly accurate and lethal unmanned aerial systems... The U.S. remains committed to using all available tools to counter Iran’s support for terrorism and degrade and disrupt the ability of Iran-backed groups to conduct terrorist attacks”.

Unnamed U.S. and Iraqi officials reported a drone strike against U.S. troops in Syria, injuring one, and two drone attacks at Iraqi bases hosting U.S. forces, causing no casualties or damage.

A Pentagon spokesperson reported 58 attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since mid-October.

A U.S. official confirmed the extension by 120 days of a sanctions waiver that “will allow Iraq to use its own funds to render payment for Iranian electricity imports into restricted Iranian accounts in Iraq”.

A Pentagon spokesperson reported that there had been 55 attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since mid-October, resulting in 59 injuries. She further assessed that the IRGC “supports, arms, equips, funds, trains these groups [attacking U.S. troops]. So, they do maintain some level of accountability over these groups”. “Some of these militias, of course… carry out their own attacks, maybe not necessarily running it up all through their command-and-control nodes but we know that Iran certainly has a role to play with these groups”, the official added.

The Pentagon announced U.S. “precision strikes… on facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-affiliated groups in response to continued attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. The strikes were conducted against a training facility and a safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, respectively”; a U.S. official was subsequently cited as assessing as many as seven fatalities. On 13 November, a Pentagon official reported that the strikes were followed by four drone and rocket attacks against U.S. forces in Syria.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that “U.S. military forces conducted a self-defence strike on a facility in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups… [in] response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by IRGC-Quds Force affiliates”. “The U.S. is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities”, he asserted. “We urge against any escalation. U.S. personnel will continue to conduct counter-ISIS missions in Iraq and Syria”. He later highlighted that “our goal is to make sure that the conflict that’s in Gaza doesn’t expand and become a region-wide conflict”. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed one attack in Iraq and three in Syria against U.S. and coalition forces following the strike, injuring three.

A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that “between 7 October and 7 November… U.S. forces have been attacked at least 40 times to date, with 22 separate times in Iraq and eighteen separate times in Syria. And that’s a mix of one-way attack drones and rockets”. “[The attacks] have not been successful… Our troops have not been seriously injured and our infrastructure at the bases, or where they’re targeting has not been seriously damaged”, she assessed, while highlighting: “We decide to respond at a time and place of our choosing. We don’t have to necessarily be tit-for-tat every single time. We are incredibly strategic about when we decide to take kinetic action”.

A Pentagon spokesperson reported that since 17 October there had been “20 attacks in Iraq, eighteen in Syria, a total of 38 of these… essentially what are harassing attacks of drones and rockets”. He also noted an increase in confirmed injuries sustained at al-Tanf on 17 October and Ain al-Assad the following day at 45, adding: “All of these injuries occurred prior to the self-defence strikes that we took on 26 October. To my knowledge, there’s been no injuries reported since then”. “We will make sure that we’re taking any necessary actions to protect our forces”, the spokesperson asserted, adding: “[Our goal] is to deter a broader regional conflict. And right now, today, the conflict is contained to Gaza and Israel and their fight against Hamas”.

Iraq’s prime minister visited Tehran and discussed the Gaza war with senior Iranian officials. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told the Iraqi premier that Israel had “so far failed in this incident because it has not been able to restore its lost reputation and it will not be able to restore it”; he also opined that “the longer the current war goes on, the evidence showing the direct role of the U.S. in directing the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza becomes more pronounced”.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Baghdad and met with Prime Minister al-Sudani. The two conferred on the war between Israel and Gaza and “the need to prevent the conflict from spreading, including in Iraq”. According to a U.S. readout, Blinken called on “the prime minister to hold accountable those responsible for continuing attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and fulfill Iraq’s commitments to protect all installations hosting U.S. personnel at the invitation of the Iraqi government”. During a press briefing, Blinken reaffirmed that “we’re not looking for conflict with Iran – we’ve made that very clear – but we’ll do what’s necessary to protect our personnel, be they military or civilian”.

A Pentagon spokesperson stated that “you are seeing and we probably will continue to see groups that may try to exploit the situation [ie, Israel-Gaza war] to benefit their own interests, to include Iranian proxy groups… Our Forces that are in Iraq and Syria are there for one reason only, and that’s the enduring defeat of ISIS. And that’s what they will continue to stay focused on. But if those forces are threatened, we will not hesitate to take appropriate action at a time and place of our choosing to protect those forces… We will make those decisions very deliberately, very thoughtfully, again with the broader objectives in mind of protecting our Forces, and making sure that this does not spin out of control into a broader regional conflict”.

A Pentagon spokesperson, reported that “since our self-defence strikes on 26 October, there've been six additional, what I would consider small-scale attacks, three in Iraq, three in Syria. Right now, we’re tracking a total of 27 attacks, sixteen in Iraq, eleven in Syria”.

A U.S. defence official confirmed that “from 17 October to 30 October, U.S. and coalition forces have been attacked at least fourteen separate times in Iraq and nine separate times in Syria, through a mix of one-way attack drones and rockets, for a total of 23 attacks to date. Many of these attacks were successfully disrupted by our military”. He further noted that “we are concerned about all elements of Iran's threat network increasing their attacks in a way that risks miscalculation or tipping the region into war… Everybody loses in a regional war, which is why we're working through partners, with allies, working the phone lines, increasing posture, to make clear our desire to prevent regional conflict”.

Media reports citing unnamed security sources indicated that four rockets targeted Ain al-Assad Base.

Media reports citing an Iraqi border official indicated that “unidentified aircraft targeted a truck convoy stationed on the Syrian side of the border with Iraq”.

A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed an attack “against U.S. forces at Erbil airbase in Iraq that was unsuccessful. No casualties, some minor damage to infrastructure”. He further said that the groups that had been targeting U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria were “affiliated with Iran”, while reporting the deployment of around 900 additional U.S. troops to the Middle East.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that “U.S. military forces conducted self-defence strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups. These precision self-defence strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17”. He further emphasised: “The U.S. does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities, but these Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop… If attacks by Iran’s proxies against U.S. forces continue, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people”. “These narrowly tailored [U.S] strikes… are separate and distinct from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and do not constitute a shift in our approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict”, Austin added. “We continue to urge all state and non-state entities not to take action that would escalate into a broader regional conflict”.

Media reports indicated that two rockets had targeted Ain al-Assad Base. The same day, a Pentagon spokesperson noted that over the previous week, “U.S. and coalition forces have been attacked at least ten separate times in Iraq and three separate times in Syria via a mix of one way attack drones and rockets”, attributing the attacks to “Iranian proxy groups”. In total, more than twenty U.S. personnel were injured, an unnamed U.S. official confirmed. The following day, President Biden asserted: “My warning to the Ayatollah was that if they continue to move against those troops, we will respond, and he should be prepared”.

Addressing a UN Security Council ministerial meeting, Secretary of State Antony Blinken contended that “for years, Iran has supported Hamas, Hizbollah, the Huthis and other groups that continue to carry out attacks on Israel… In recent weeks, Iran’s proxies have repeatedly attacked U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria, whose mission is to prevent ISIS from renewing its rampage. So let me say this before this council and let me say what we have consistently said to Iranian officials through other channels: The U.S. does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war [between Israel and Gaza] to widen. But if Iran or its proxies attack U.S. personnel anywhere, make no mistake: We will defend our people, we will defend our security – swiftly and decisively”.

Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani, while condemning Israel’s strikes against Gaza, denounced the “attacks targeting the Iraqi bases, which include the headquarters of the international coalition advisors present in Iraq, at an official invitation from the government”. The same day, U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin spoke with al-Sudani and welcomed the statement, asserting: “U.S. and Coalition forces remain in Iraq in support of the Iraqi Security Forces to achieve the enduring defeat of ISIS. This mission is critical for regional stability and security”.

A Pentagon spokesperson, discussing increased attacks against bases housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria, said that “these groups [conducting the attacks] are groups that are backed by Iran. We don't necessarily see that Iran has explicitly ordered them to take these kinds of attacks. That said, by virtue of the fact that they are supported by Iran, we will ultimately hold Iran responsible”. “We’re going to continue to do what we need to do to protect and safeguard our forces and take all necessary measures”, he added. “No one wants to see a wider regional conflict, but we will not hesitate to protect our forces”. Relatedly, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson warned that “We know Iran’s goal is to maintain some level of deniability here, but we’re not going to allow them to do that. We also are not going to allow any threat to our interests in the region to go unchallenged”.

The State Department confirmed that it had instructed “the departure of eligible family members and non-emergency U.S. government personnel from U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General Erbil due to increased security threats against U.S. government personnel and interests”.

Media reports indicated that “defence systems at Ain al-Assad Base intercepted and shot down two drones while they were hovering near the base”. The following day, there were reports of rocket attacks against the facility.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, citing “recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East”, announced “the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations throughout the region to increase force protection for U.S. forces”, adding: “An additional number of forces on prepare to deploy orders as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required”. He also conferred with his Israeli counterpart regarding “the continued provision of security assistance and the U.S. commitment to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war [between Israel and Gaza]”. The following day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken: “We are concerned at the possibility of Iranian proxies escalating their attacks against our own personnel... We’re taking every measure to make sure that we can defend them and, if necessary, respond decisively. Not at all what we’re looking for, not at all what we want, but we’ll be prepared if that’s what they choose to do”.

Media reports indicated that two rockets had “targeted a base with U.S. troops near Baghdad’s international airport… Air defences shot down one rocket and the other struck an ‘empty storage facility’”.

CENTCOM confirmed that the day before “the U.S. military defended against three drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq. In western Iraq, U.S. forces engaged two drones, destroying one and damaging the second, resulting in minor injuries to Coalition forces. Separately in northern Iraq, U.S. forces engaged and destroyed a drone, resulting in no injuries or damage”. A Shiite militia group claimed responsibility for the latter.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani in Baghdad, said that “the possibility of opening a new front in the region… depends on the actions of the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] in Gaza”. “No one in the region asks us for permission to open new fronts”, he insisted, while asserting: “What happened was a reaction to the aggressive actions and extremism of the Netanyahu administration”.

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, told his Iraqi counterpart that “the security agreement between the two countries guarantees the security of the borders of the two countries and a reasonable and appropriate road map to eliminate insecure components in the two countries and the region”, urging “strict and complete implementation of this agreement”.

Iraq’s foreign minister asserted that “the threat of attack or violence against the Kurdistan region and the violation of Iraqi sovereignty is unacceptable; a fact we have explicitly mentioned in Tehran. [The] Kurdistan Regional Government and [the] Kurdistan Region have adhered to the security agreement [with Iran]… Therefore, we need Iran to adhere to the agreement and not use violence against Iraqi sovereignty”. He further noted that “the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government have taken the necessary measures towards the implementation of the security agreement, including the return of those who were in the border regions to camps, for whom five camps were established to live in”. On 22 September, Iran’s military general chief of staff stated that the Iranian Kurdish separatist groups “just distanced a bit from the borders of our country… We will wait for several days and we will send observer teams to this region to see if the disarming is completed or not”. “These terrorists should be fully disarmed and get expelled from Iraq”, he stated.

Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced that “based on the agreement between Iraq and Iran, necessary measures were taken to remove [Iranian Kurdish separatist] groups from the border areas and they were housed in camps deep inside Iraqi Kurdistan”, adding: “We will discuss with the Iranian side not to threaten to use violence and not to threaten to attack some areas in the Kurdistan region of Iraq”. The following day, speaking alongside his Iranian counterpart, Hussein highlighted that “the Constitution of Iraq clearly indicates that it does not allow any group to use Iraqi lands to attack another country… The groups on the Iraqi-Iranian border have been disarmed and refugee camps have been established”.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant presented what he described as evidence of Iran building an airport in Lebanon approximately 20km from the border with Israel, adding: “You can see the Iranian flag flying over the runways, from which the ayatollah regime plans to operate against the citizens of Israel… The land is Lebanese, the control is Iranian, and the target is Israel”. “If it comes to a conflict”, he warned, “Hizbollah and Lebanon will pay heavy and painful prices”. He further asserted that “Israel… will not allow the establishment of a second Hizbollah in the Syrian Golan Heights, and the use of Syrian soil as a springboard for the transfer of [advanced] weapons to Hizbollah”. Gallant also noted that Iran’s “ultimate goal is to create another front against Israel, along the Jordanian border… Iran is also behind the wave of terrorism in Judea and Samaria: funding, weaponry, and direction, with the aim of sowing destruction and terror”. Relatedly, the IDF chief of staff warned that “our enemies may be tempted to see an advantage in the multi-front threat to us. It is better for them to know that when Israel is threatened, it knows how to mobilise all its resources, put the differences aside – and attack”.

Asked whether the U.S. sensed a decrease in threats to U.S. forces in the region and maritime security, a Pentagon spokesperson stated: “I wouldn’t know that I’d make an assessment on temperature dropping. We continue to see harassment. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen harassment from IRGC-backed groups over commercial ships... We have not seen that threat drop, I would say, so we haven’t seen a reason to move our forces out”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson asserted that “an agreement has been struck between Iran and Iraq, in which Iraq has committed to disarm armed separatists and terrorist groups present in its territory, close their bases, and relocate them to other locations before 19 September”.

The U.S. and Iraq convened a Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue, noting “that U.S. forces are in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government only to support the Iraqi Security Forces in their fight against ISIS… Iraq reaffirmed its commitment to protect U.S. And Global Coalition personnel and advisors, convoys and diplomatic facilities”.

Iraq’s prime minister indicated that “work is continuing with the American side concerning unpaid bills [owed to Iran], which have fallen to 9.2b Euros”, and noted a visit to Oman by Iraqi finance officials “to agree on a formula for transferring these funds to the Sultanate of Oman, in agreement with the U.S. Treasury”.

A U.S. diplomatic spokesperson confirmed that “earlier in July the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York removed fourteen banks from access to the Central Bank of Iraq’s foreign currency sale window, known as the dollar and wire auctions. These actions help limit the ability of bad actors seeking to launder U.S. dollars, profit from the exploitation of money owned by the Iraqi people, and evade U.S. sanctions”.

Discussing a U.S. waiver allowing Iraq to pay Iran via third-party banks for energy imports, a U.S. diplomatic spokesperson confirmed that “Oman has indicated a willingness to receive a portion of these funds, and we expect that to happen… We thought it was important to get this money out of Iraq, because it is a source of leverage that Iran uses against its neighbor”. He further highlighted that the funds would “still be subject to the same restrictions as when the money was held in accounts in Iraq, meaning that the money can only be used for non-sanctionable activities such as humanitarian assistance, and that all the transactions need to be approved by the U.S. Treasury Department in advance”.

Media reports cited U.S. officials confirming that the U.S. had “barred fourteen Iraqi banks from conducting dollar transactions… after uncovering information that they engaged in money laundering and fraudulent transactions”. A senior U.S. official indicated that “we have strong reason to suspect that at least some of these laundered funds could end up going to benefit either designated individuals or individuals who could be designated… Of course the primary sanctions risk in Iraq relates to Iran”.

Media reports cited a U.S. official confirming that the State Department had issued “a new national security waiver letting Iraq pay Iran for electricity that for the first time allows such payments to go to accounts at non-Iraqi banks”. The following day, a U.S. diplomatic spokesperson clarified that the waiver would “authorise the transfer of funds… to restricted accounts in select third-party banks… where they can only be used for non-sanctionable activity, and with every transaction approved in advance by the Department of Treasury”. He further indicated that “we continue to review Iraq’s announced oil for gas swap [with Iran], including in relation to our current sanctions. We continue to implement all U.S. sanctions on Iran”.

Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani announced that “it was agreed with Iran to provide it with crude oil in exchange for gas, and the decision will ensure the continuity of the supply of gas, and with it the current crisis will end”. He further noted that “due to the lack of U.S. approvals to transfer funds to Iran, gas supplies were stopped earlier and decreased by more than 50 per cent… Iraq has paid all its dues for Iranian gas amounting to 11 billion dollars, and it was deposited in the account of Iranian companies and we transferred 1.8 billion euros to Iran to pay gas dues”. The same day, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hailed an Iraqi energy deal with Total as “a major step towards both establishing Iraq’s energy self-sufficiency and meeting its climate goals”. “This energy and gas capture project, together with the ongoing programs to connect Iraq’s electricity grid to the grids in the GCC and Jordan, will significantly enhance Iraq’s energy security and the reliability of its electricity network”, he added.

Iran’s military chief of staff warned that “there are armed separatist groups in northern Iraq that foment insecurity on our borders… We will wait until September when it is the deadline for the Iraqi government [to meet its] obligation… [If terrorist groups remain armed or carry out operations], our attacks against these groups will be definitely repeated with more intensity”.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that “an Israeli-Russian dual citizen… has been missing in Iraq for several months and is being held by the Shiite militia Kataeb Hizbollah”. “We hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being”, the statement added.

The IRGC confirmed one Basij fatality during clashes with “anti-revolution outlaws” in Kurdistan province, pledging “operations to ensure security and rid the entire north-western region of the anti-revolution and terrorist groups”.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Iraqi counterpart, and “encouraged the Government of Iraq on its efforts to become energy independent and to increase innovation in its energy sector”. According to an Iraqi readout, Foreign Minister Fuad Hossein discussed, inter alia, Iraq’s debt to Iran for energy imports and “how to deal with the American measures on international banks, including Iraqi banks”, noting the “need to find a solution to this problem as it directly affects the electrical sector in Iraq”. He further “thanked the American side for allowing to solve the issue of financial payments to Iranian pilgrims and Iranian money in Iraqi banks”. On 11 June, a U.S. spokesperson underscored that “no funds are allocated to Iran and any reporting to the contrary is false. For several years, the U.S. has approved similar transactions on an ongoing basis consistent with OFAC regulations and in full coordination with the Government of Iraq… The U.S. has maintained strict compliance with all Iran-related sanctions and will continue to do so unless and until Iran’s nuclear program returns to compliance with prior commitments”.

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, told his Iraqi counterpart that “we, within the framework of the [March] agreement, expect the Iraqi government to guarantee the security of the country’s borders with Iran as soon as possible, while ending the presence of counterrevolutionary elements in the country”.

Iran’s intelligence minister remarked that “with the cooperation of the new Iraqi government and the guarantees given, we hope to see security on the western borders… and emphasise the responsibility of the Iraqi [Kurdistan] region”. “If insecurity is created for the Islamic Republic”, he warned, “any action on the borders will be met with a decisive and overwhelming response”.

Iran’s foreign ministry summoned Iraq’s ambassador over what it described as “the continuation of terrorist groups' movements in Iraq's Kurdistan region… contrary to the recent security agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq”.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told Iraq’s president, who was visiting Tehran, that “the U.S. is not Iraq’s friend… The presence of even one single American in Iraq is too much”. The president also met with his Iranian counterpart, who asserted that “as much as we consider the negotiations between the countries of the region useful, we consider the presence of foreign forces in the region to be harmful and we consider the presence of the Americans to be a threat to the security of the region”. Raisi also remarked that “the will of the two countries is to develop relations in all fields”, emphasising that bilateral relations “in the field of infrastructure such as water, electricity, gas and energy should continue in such a way that the use of existing capacities fully meets the needs of both sides”.

Iranian Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) secretary Ali Shamkhani signed a security agreement in Iraq which, according to Iranian state media, would “have a decisive impact on reducing and managing the unwanted security challenges between the two states, which are caused due to the mischief of anti-Islamic establishment elements residing in Iraq’s Kurdistan region”. Shamkhani told his counterpart that “the careful implementation of such an agreement will lead to a significant decrease in terrorist threats and border insecurity, and prepare the ground for fostering bilateral ties in security, economic and political fields more than ever before”. Separately, he told Prime Minister al-Sudani that “a united, integrated and powerful Iraq is the pillar of stability in the region”, adding: “We should not allow the two countries’ interests to fall victim to the U.S.’s mischief and its terrorist mercenaries”. The following day, Shamkhani announced “a new arrangement to use Iranian funds that remain blocked in Iraq because of U.S. sanctions… The funds will be used to purchase basic goods and to settle payments owed by Iranian merchants to trade partners in Iraq”.

A senior U.S. defence official stressed that “our forces [in Iraq and Syria] are under constant threat from Iranian-aligned militia groups who seek to constantly harass our forces, which detracts and undermines our ability to continue prosecuting the defeat ISIS mission, and it also directly undermines, threatens and jeopardises the recovery efforts of those local communities who, only a few years ago, were under ISIS caliphate rule, experiencing the worst depravities and atrocities. So it’s truly destabilising”. She further asserted that “we hold Iran accountable and responsible for these attacks because Iran is arming, training, equipping and guiding these groups”.

Iran’s UN envoy wrote to the Security Council accusing Israel of responsibility for a 28 January drone attack against a military facility in Isfahan. He also maintained that “the Israeli regime persists… its threats to use force against Iran’s critical infrastructure, including Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities”, and asserted: “Iran reserves its legitimate and inherent right… to defend its national security and respond resolutely to any threats or wrongful actions by the Israeli regime, wherever and whenever deemed necessary”. The same day, a media outlet close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council asserted that the components for UAVs used in the attack had “entered Iran with the participation and guidance of Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan region of Iraq… on the order of a foreign security service”. It further noted: “The necessity of preventing destructive and anti-security actions of Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, has been repeatedly pointed out to the government of this country. The continuation of the terrorist activities of these groups against Iran shows that the Iraqi government has not yet been able to completely fulfill its legal responsibilities in this regard”.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani that efforts to undermine Iran’s security were “currently taking place in some areas of Iraq. The only solution is for the Iraqi central government to extend its authority to those areas as well”. He added: “If any party intends to disrupt the country’s security, we will stand up firmly in front of any party seeking to undermine Iraq’s security… Iraq’s security is Iran’s security, in the same way that Iran’s security also has an effect on the security of Iraq”. According to an Iraqi readout, the premier emphasised that “the government is committed to the Iraqi constitution, which prohibits making Iraq a launchpad for aggression against its neighbours”. The same day, President Raisi, during a joint press conference with al-Sudani, asserted: “The presence of outsiders does not bring security at all, but causes many problems for the region… Definitely, the withdrawal of the Americans from the region will lead to an increase in peace, stability and security”.

The IRGC Ground Forces’ commander announced a bolstering of forces in western and north-western Iran to “strengthen the units located on the border… [and] prevent the infiltration of terrorists affiliated with separatist groups operating in Iraq’s northern region”.

The IRGC carried out missile and drone strikes against Kurdish opposition groups near Kikuk. The U.S. denounced the “repeated and brazen violations of Iraq’s territorial integrity” and urged “Iran to refrain from further threats and violence”. The same day, Iran’s ambassador to Iraq claimed that “some of our vital military centers have been attacked from the Iraqi Kurdistan region’s soil and we have informed the Iraqi side, both the authorities of the Iraqi Kurdistan region and the central government in Iraq, of this issue. We [provided them] with maps and documents”. Too, a senior IRGC commander emphasised that “the attack on the headquarters and bases of armed criminals and terrorist groups will continue until the threat is eliminated”.

The IRGC renewed missile and drone operations against Kurdish separatist groups in northern Iraq. The following day it stated that it had been bolstering its presence in north-western Iran “following the movements of villains and anti-Iran separatist terrorist groups… and the creation of villainy and insecurity in some areas”, while highlighting “the security of the region and the honorable and valiant people of the border provinces of the north west as our red line”. The Kurdistan Regional government condemned the attack in “the strongest terms… Iran’s repeated violations of the sovereignty of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are inexcusable and a gross infringement of international law and neighbourly relations”. The U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition denounced the strikes and emphasised: “These attacks place innocent civilians at risk. Such acts jeopardise the security and stability of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region”.

The IRGC targeted what it described as bases of “terrorist separatist groups” in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region using drones and missiles, citing “continued inaction and some evident oversights, which were sometimes intentional, by officials of the northern Iraqi [Kurdistan] region in dealing with the activities of counterrevolutionary and anti-Iran terrorist and separatist groups that have carved out a safe haven in the region to hatch plots and conduct attacks against the Iranian nation”. Multiple casualties were reported. The Iraqi foreign ministry denounced the attack “in strong and repeated terms” and its minister emphasised to his Iranian counterpart “the importance of dialogue as a way to stop this unjustified hostile escalation, describing the continuation of these unilateral actions as dangerous”. The U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition denounced the Iranian strikes “as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty”.

Following media reports that Saudi Arabia had provided the U.S. with intelligence described as signaling Iranian intentions “to carry out attacks on both the kingdom and Erbil”, a White House spokesperson indicated that “we are concerned about the threat picture, and we remain in constant contact through military and intelligence channels with the Saudis... We will not hesitate to act in the defence of our interests and partners in the region”. Iran’s foreign ministry rejected the report as “biased fabrication”, emphasising that “Iran believes improvement of stability and security in the region hinges on constructive interaction with neighbours”.

Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian told a group of senior Iraqi security officials that “we do not expect the Kurdistan region of Iraq to be a haven for terrorist acts and a threat against Iran… We want nothing but good for the Iraqi government and nation, but we will not tolerate the continued armed presence of terrorists in the Kurdistan region and their actions against Iran’s security”.

The Iraqi parliament approved Abdul Latif Rashid as president, who appointed Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as interim prime minister.

The Iraqi Security Media Cell reported that nine rockets had targeted Baghdad’s Green Zone, injuring “a number of members of the security services and citizens”. The same day, mortars targeted a government building in Baghdad.

After Iraq’s UN envoy condemned Iran at the Security Council for conducting “reckless acts” in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Iran’s representative wrote to the Council contending that “terrorist and separatist groups… have continued to use Iraqi territory to conduct armed and terrorist attacks against civilians and Iran’s vital infrastructure. These armed groups… have set up several terrorist training camps on Iraqi territory in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region in order to recruit, train, incite, plan, organise, support and carry out terrorist acts as well as sabotage operations within Iranian territory”. “Despite our repeated objections and warnings, neither the Government of the Republic of Iraq nor officials from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region have taken effective and concrete measures to comply with their international obligations”, he added, while underscoring Iran’s right “to respond to any terrorist threat or attack… at any time it deems appropriate and necessary”.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian told his Iraqi counterpart that Iran would not “not tolerate the continuation of aggression and terrorist acts by groups that have taken refuge in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and targeted Iran’s national security”.

Iranian media reported that the IRGC had launched drones and rockets against “the positions of terrorist groups in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region”, the latest in a series of attacks since late September.

Military Chief of Staff Bagheri cautioned “the U.S. forces against cooperating with anti-Iranian terrorists in the Iraqi Kurdistan region”. Referring to the U.S. downing an Iranian drone during 28 September IRGC attacks against what was described as “anti-Iranian terrorist groups” in northern Iraq as evidence of collaboration between them and the U.S., he warned that “we will deal with it at a proper time and place”, adding: “If any hostile measure against the Islamic Republic of Iran, its national security, and its national interests are adopted by American bases in… neighbouring states, we will certainly respond to these bases”.

Iraqi security forces reported that three rockets had hit Baghdad’s Green Zone.

The IRGC confirmed that it had fired 73 ballistic missiles and dozens of UAVs targeting sites belonging to what it called “anti-Iranian terrorist groups” in northern Iraq. CENTCOM reported downing an Iranian drone “headed in the direction of Erbil as it appeared as a threat to CENTCOM forces in the area”. The Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s president denounced the operation, which led to dozens of casualties, and affirmed, “The Kurdistan Region… will not allow any security threat to the neighbouring countries from its borders… [and it] should not be used as a battleground to settle disputes among rival parties”. Iraq’ foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador on 29 September and delivered a “strong note of protests”, warning of operation’s “repercussions on the societal peace of both countries, and on regional security and stability”. The U.S. State Department criticised the attack as “an unjustified violation of Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity”, and further condemned “comments from the government of Iran threatening additional attacks against Iraq”, while National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said “Iran cannot deflect blame from its internal problems and the legitimate grievances of its population with attacks across its borders… the U.S. will continue to pursue sanctions and other means to disrupt Iran’s destabilising activities across the Middle East region”. The following day, the U.S. confirmed the death of one of its citizens during the attack.  

The IRGC reported that it had targeted with artillery what it claimed were “the positions of anti-Iran terrorist groups affiliated with global arrogance [ie, the West] in northern Iraq who have in recent days trespassed on Iran’s north-western borders and attacked some border bases of our country”. It further noted that “Iran on many occasions has warned officials of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region about the terrorist groups’ activities in the region but they have failed to pay necessary attention to the warnings and take proper measures to prevent terrorist moves”, adding: “The operation will continued until the Iraqi Kurdish officials accept their responsibilities”. On 26 September, Iranian media reported a “new round of [IRGC] artillery and drone attacks against terrorists in northern Iraq”.

President Raisi underlined “the development of neighbourly relations as the principles of [his administration’s] foreign policy”, while noting: “Our emphasis to the neighbours is that you should not pursue your security with the presence of Americans or outsiders in the region. The security of the region is in the hands of the countries of the region”. Referring to a potential next round of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Raisi maintained: “The Saudi side has obligations the fulfilment of which will open the way for further actions, and surely the diplomatic relations between the two countries depend on the implementation of these obligations”.

Multiple rockets landed near the Turkish consulate in Mosul; no casualties were reported. The Turkish foreign ministry condemned the attack and called on “Iraqi authorities to fulfil their responsibilities in protecting diplomatic and consular missions”.

Commenting on Iraq-mediated talks between Saudi and Iranian officials, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson indicated that “due to the positive will of the parties, it is possible to hold the next meeting at the official and political level in Baghdad, and take a step in the direction of improving and resuming the relations between the two countries”.

KRG officials reported that multiple rockets targeted the Khor Mor gas field. A spokesperson urged “the Iraqi Federal Government to take the necessary measures to limit and prevent a repetition of these terrorist attacks, which seek to destroy the security and stability of the whole of Iraq and the economic development of the Kurdistan Region”.

Iran’s energy minister remarked that “given that we are facing a surplus of electricity production in the country at many times of the year, we pursue the development of energy diplomacy centered on electricity with neighbours in order to both solve their problems and create a stable flow of income and use the maximum capacity of our electricity network… we prepared the ground for the first long-term cooperation in the electricity sector with Iraq, and signed an important and strategic contract with the country”.

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. issued The Jeddah Communique during President Biden’s visit to the Kingdom, in which “the two sides underscored the need to further deter Iran’s interference in the internal affairs of other countries, its support for terrorism through its arms proxies and its efforts to destabilise the security and stability of the region”. Underscoring “the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon”, the statement also highlighted maritime security, the benefits of extending the truce in Yemen and Saudi/GCC initiatives for linking up to Iraq’s electricity network. Biden’s trip also included a meeting between U.S. and GCC leaders, who in a 16 July statement “affirmed their joint commitment to preserve regional security and stability, support diplomacy with the aim of regional de-escalation, deepen their region-wide defence, security and intelligence cooperation and ensure the freedom and security of waterways”. That statement also emphasised “the centrality of diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon”.

Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi traveled to Saudi Arabia and then Iran, where he met with senior Iranian officials. President Raisi told al-Kadhimi that “the talks of the countries’ officials can solve the region’s problems”, highlighting “the need for the officials of the countries in the region to negotiate to solve problems and issues with each other”. He further maintained that “normalisation of relations with Israel or the presence of foreigners in the region will not solve any problem”. Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian told al-Kadhimi that “Iran wishes nothing but the welfare of the region and supports the reopening of [Iranian and Saudi] embassies in the capitals of the two countries”. The two also conferred on Yemen, where Amirabdollahian reiterated “Iran’s support for the continuation of ceasefire”.

KRG security officials reported that six rockets targeted the Khor Mor gas field. The following day, the U.S. denounced “repeated rocket and mortar attacks directed at the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, including three attacks… in the last four days on oil and gas infrastructure”, emphasising: “These attacks are designed to undermine economic stability just as they seek to challenge Iraqi sovereignty, sow division and intimidate. They must be investigated and those responsible must be prosecuted”.

A rocket fired at a gas field in northern Iraq injured three people. The Khor Mor field again came under rocket fire on 24 June.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein remarked that “these problems regarding Iranian interference whether political or otherwise, we have started talking with the Iranian side differently… Tehran has started to hear a different language from Baghdad, one that did not exist before”. “We have told our Iranian brothers that we are geographical neighbors and that will stay...therefore we need cooperation, we do not need interference from Iran”, he added. On Tehran’s claim on Israeli activities in Erbil against Iran, Hussein said that “if Iran has evidence, it must show it. Iran suggested to send an investigation committee but it never came”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently maintained that Iraq “should not be abused by the [Israeli] usurpers for anti-security actions against their friend Iran… They have been given more information than they need”.

Iraqi security officials reported that at least five rockets had targeted Ain al-Assad airbase; no casualties were reported.

Following reports of the U.S. seizing Iranian oil aboard a tanker off the coast of Greece, the IRGC declared that it had seized two Greek oil tankers, identified as Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon. According to industry sources, the former was carrying a U.S.-bound cargo from Iraq and the latter was heading from Iraq to Greece. The Greek foreign ministry delivered a “strong-worded demarche” to Iran’s ambassador, condemned what it described as “actions… essentially tantamount to acts of piracy” and “called for the immediate release of the ships and their crews”. On 30 May, speaking with his Greek counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced the seizure “in the strongest terms” and contended: “Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights and freedoms are a threat to maritime security and the global economy”. 

The U.S. State Department asserted that “the U.S. is deeply disturbed by the Iraqi Parliament’s passage of legislation that criminalises normalisation of relations with Israel”, adding: “The U.S. will continue to be a strong and unwavering partner in supporting Israel, including as it expands ties with its neighbours in the pursuit of greater peace and prosperity for all”. Israel’s foreign ministry denounced the decision, asserting that the “law puts Iraq and the Iraqi people on the wrong side of history” and urging “the Iraqi people not to support this extremist position”.

Iraqi security forces reported downing a drone attempting to approach an airbase near Baghdad. The U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition contended that “the malign actors who launched and operated this UAS [Unmanned Aircraft System] have demonstrated, yet again, a total disregard for the lives of the Iraqi citizens and innocent air travelers”.

The foreign ministers of the counter-ISIS coalition issued a joint statement highlighting that “ensuring the enduring defeat of Daesh/ISIS in Iraq and Syria remains the number one priority”, adding: “Despite significant setbacks… the terrorist group continues to conduct attacks in Iraq and Syria and represents an ongoing threat”. The ministers affirmed that “the Coalition will continue to provide support to the Iraqi Security Forces”, while underscoring “the need to enhance civilian-led counterterrorism capabilities in Iraq… [and] the need to ensure sustainable long-term solutions for Daesh/ISIS fighters and family members in northeast Syria”. “In Syria”, the statement added, “the Coalition stands with the Syrian people in support of a lasting political settlement in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254”.

The IRGC reported having “detained five members of [a] terrorist team who were trying to infiltrate the country and commit acts of sabotage” in western Iran. The following day, it fired artillery against what were described as “terrorist bases” in Erbil; Iraq’s foreign ministry condemned the attack.

The Kurdistan Regional Government reported that six rockets had fallen “near the KAR refinery in Erbil”; a main tank was damaged in the attack, according to Iraqi security forces. The U.S. consulate in Erbil condemned the attack, “which resulted in damage to an oil refinery… Attacks in Iraq, including on the energy sector, are an assault on the sovereignty of Iraq and hurt Iraqi citizens”.

Iraqi security officials reported that two rockets landed near Ain al-Assad Air Base, without causing “significant losses”.

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, told Iraq’s parliament speaker that “Tehran is monitoring the meddlesome presence of the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] and the U.S. in the region and will react quickly and decisively to any security action with might”. In a separate meeting, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian told the Iraqi official that “anti-Iran separatists and anti-revolution agents should not find a safe haven in Iraq to threaten the Islamic Republic”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson confirmed that “the fifth round of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Baghdad was held [on 21 April]… with the efforts of the Iraqi government and the preparations and assistance of the Omani government”, adding: “The talks were forward-moving and positive”.

President Raisi told the Iraqi foreign minister that “Tehran seriously expects neighbouring countries, especially Iraq, not to allow anything that disrupts the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whether in areas controlled by the federal government or in areas controlled by the Kurdistan Region”. “Iran is closely watching the Zionist Regime’s [ie, Israel’s] actions… and we will not allow them to endanger the security of the region through any country, including Iraq”, he added. Raisi further emphasised that “the security of Iraq must be provided by the Iraqis themselves and that the presence of outsiders in Iraq does not provide security”. Relatedly, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian told his Iraqi counterpart that “Iran cannot accept facing threats by the U.S., Israel as well as terrorist and separatist elements and seeing its security undermined through its own borders”.

The U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition reported that “U.S. air defence systems shot down an armed aerial system entering Al Asad Air Base”, causing no injuries.

Kurdish security sources reported that three rockets had landed close to a refinery in Erbil; the owner’s house had been hit in a March ballistic missile strike claimed by the IRGC.

President Raisi told his Iraqi counterpart that “we consider the slightest insecurity in Iraq to be to the detriment of the whole region, so we welcome the realisation of the interests of the Iraqi people and the establishment of a strong government in this country”. He further highlighted that “we are determined to promote the level of relations and cooperation between the two countries in all fields… and lead to closer relations at the international level”. Raisi further contended that “any country in the region that neglects the hegemonic goals of the U.S. and the Zionist Regime [ie, Israel] will both disregard the interests of its nation and will spur Muslim nations’ anger”.

The U.S. sanctioned “five Iranian individuals and entities… for their involvement in Iran’s ballistic missile-related activities”. According to the State Department, the designation followed “Iran’s recent missile attack on Erbil, Iraq, as well as missile attacks by Iranian proxies against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These attacks are a reminder that Iran’s development and proliferation of ballistic missiles pose a serious threat to regional and international security”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson condemned the U.S. move as “continuation of the failed policy of maximum pressure”, asserting: “The U.S. claims to be ready to return to full implementation of its obligations under the nuclear deal, while it continues to significantly violate the UN Security Council resolution 2231”.

The U.S. confirmed a 120-day extension of sanctions waivers for Iraqi imports of Iranian electricity, asserting that “the waiver ensures that Iraq is able to meet its short-term energy needs while it takes steps to reduce its dependence on Iranian energy imports”.

An official from the U.S.-led counter ISIS coalition reported downing “several low-flying drones westward from the eastern border region of Iraq” on 14 February which could have been bound for Israel.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie indicated that “I do worry about… [military] exchanges between Iran and Israel because many times, our forces are at risk, whether we’re in Iraq or in Syria”.

Commenting on Iran’s 13 March missile attack against an alleged Israeli “strategic center for conspiracy” in Erbil, Iraq, an IRGC spokesperson asserted that “it is our natural right to destroy any base from which any attack is carried out against the security of Iran and this is a red line… If Iraqi officials do not take action to remove other bases… we will respond without hesitation”. He also claimed that the Israelis “had admitted themselves that [in mid-February] their drones, which flew over a [military] base in [Iran’s] Kermanshah [province], had taken off from their bases in Erbil”.

Iraqi security officials reported that four rockets had landed “in open areas in Balad air base, leaving no damage or casualties”.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie described Iran as “the greatest single day-to-day threat to regional security and stability”, noting that “the risk of miscalculation and escalation remains high because of Iran's strategic calculation that it can simultaneously and discretely engage in diplomacy with and a proxy campaign against the U.S.”. McKenzie's statement to a Senate committee further addressed the role of Iran and Iran-backed groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

The IRGC declared that it had fired twelve ballistic missiles at what it described as an Israeli “strategic center for conspiracy” in Erbil, Iraq, in response to the killing on 7 March of two IRGC members in an alleged Israeli strike in Syria. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson underlined that “Iran by no means accepts that one of its neighbours, who has deep relations and interaction with it, will be the centre of threat to Iran”. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called the event “an attack on the security of our people” and the foreign ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan condemned the attack “in the strongest terms”, indicated it had “targeted a civilian residence”, and asserted: “We will support the Government of Iraq in holding Iran accountable, and we will support our partners throughout the Middle East in confronting similar threats from Iran”. The State Department said “the strikes were an outrageous violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. No U.S. facilities were damaged or personnel injured, and we have no indications the attack was directed at the U.S.”. Secretary Blinken also spoke with Iraq’s prime minister.

During a visit to the UAE, CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie discussed Huthi attacks and assessed: “the equipment they are firing is certainly Iranian. If Iran didn’t approve this specific attack, they’re certainly morally responsible for it”. “The Iranians have accused the UAE of being involved in the Iraqi election. Iran needs culprits because the election didn’t go well for them,”, he added. “In Iraq in particular, Iran thought they had a political way forward to eject the U.S. from Iraq… now I think they’re grasping at alternatives, and some of those alternatives may be kinetic and violent”. McKenzie maintained that “my visit here, and to some degree repositioning, is all designed to send a very careful, calculated message that the U.S. is a reliable partner… We’ve got a lot of ships, we’ve got a lot of problems. We’ve always got an ability to help our friends”.

President Raisi told Iraq’s foreign minister that “the problems in the region are the result of the Americans' extravagance, and if they are expelled from the region in a real way, we will see that the countries of the region themselves can fully establish peace, stability and security by working together in the region”.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie assessed that “Tehran is well aware of our red lines [in Iraq], yet the evidence is also clear that many of these militia groups are trying in earnest to kill Americans with these attacks. Sooner or later, it’s almost inevitable that they will succeed, and Iran will provoke precisely what it seeks to avoid”. He also described Iran as a “main threat”, using “proxies to do its dirty work, by funnelling them arms and other resources”.

The Emirati defence ministry reported downing “three hostile drones that [had] penetrated the UAE’s airspace”. An Iraqi group claimed that they had fired “four drones targeting vital facilities in Abu Dhabi”.

The Iraqi military reported that six rockets had landed in Baghdad International Airport, near a base hosting U.S. forces, inflicting damage to two Iraqi civilian airplanes. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson condemned the incident.

Iraqi security sources reported the downing of three drones bound for Balad airbase. The U.S.-led counter ISIS coalition maintained that “attacks on Iraqi installations are attacks on the Iraqi people. The Coalition maintains a minimal footprint on Iraqi locations to advise and assist but has no personnel at Balad”.

The Iraqi military reported that several rockets had targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; two were reportedly intercepted and two civilians injured in the incident. The Embassy confirmed that its “compound was attacked… by terrorist groups attempting to undermine Iraq’s security, sovereignty and international relations”, adding: “These sorts of reprehensible attacks are an assault not just on diplomatic facilities, but on the sovereignty of Iraq itself”.

IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani contended that “all Americans will be expelled ... from this region… they must leave Iraq, otherwise; the resistance front inside Iraq will make the Americans miserable and they will have to leave Iraq under more humiliated [sic] conditions than what they experienced in Afghanistan”.

The U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition reported that five rockets fell near the Ain al-Assad Air Base, followed by “an unidentified drone” that was downed on approaching the facility. The same day, the Iraqi military confirmed that a rocket had targeted a base with U.S. personnel at Baghdad International Airport. A coalition official emphasised that it “reserves the right to defend itself and partner forces against any threat”, adding: “our Coalition continues to see threats against our forces in Iraq and Syria by militia groups that are backed by Iran. These attacks are a dangerous distraction from our Coalition’s shared mission to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to maintain the enduring defeat of Daesh [ie, ISIS]”.

Iraqi security forces reported that “the Ain al-Assad Air Base… was targeted by two drones”, both of which “were shut [sic] down without casualties”. The U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition asserted that “while we have ended our combat mission, we maintain the inherent right of self-defence”.

The U.S.-led ISIS-defeat coalition reported that “two fixed-wing suicide drones, or improvised cruise missiles, attempted to attack Baghdad [International] Airport… They were shot down without incident”.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian met with his Iraqi counterpart in Tehran and hailed “Baghdad’s initiative to host talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia”. He also announced that “last week, Saudi Arabia agreed to grant visas to three of our diplomats who will start work at the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah”. Amirabdollahian further indicated that “we offered a set of practical and constructive proposals to the Saudi side” in prior discussions, voicing hope that “the two countries’ delegations will meet in Baghdad in the near future and will work on the implementation of the next phase of the agreements”. Discussing the JCPOA negotiations, Iraq’s top diplomat posited: “the time has come for direct talks between Washington and Tehran to reach common understandings not just on the nuclear issue, but also on sanctions”.

Iraqi security forces reported that “the Green Zone in Baghdad was the target of two Katyusha rockets. The first was shot down… The second fell in a square, damaging two vehicles”.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie assessed that Iran-backed Iraqi militias “want all U.S. forces to leave, and all U.S. forces are not going to leave… that may provoke a response as we get later into the end of the month”. He further noted that “we’ve drawn down from bases we didn’t need, we’ve made it harder to get at us. But the Iraqis still want us to be there. … So as long as they want it, and we can mutually agree that’s the case – we’re going to be there”. McKenzie went on to assess that “Iran still pursues a vision of ejecting us [from the region]. And they see the principal battleground for that as being Iraq… they are under the view that they can increase friction in Iraq to where we will leave”. He further described Iran’s proliferation of missiles and drones as “very concerning… They show no signs of abating in their research in this field, and their fielding of new and increasingly lethal and capable weapons”.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan assessed that “since Donald Trump made the decision to pull the U.S. out of the Iran Nuclear Deal in 2018, Hizbollah has continued to menace Lebanon and the region. Iran’s proxies in Iraq and Syria and Yemen have continued to move forward. So, not being in the nuclear deal has hardly been a solution to the proxy”. He further asserted that “nothing about the nuclear deal stops the U.S.’s capacity to deal with those proxies. And we are prepared to do so”, adding: “ultimately, an Iran with a nuclear weapon is going to be a greater menace in partnerships with its proxies than Iran without one. And so it is our determination to ensure they never get a nuclear weapon, and diplomacy is the best way forward”.

The U.S. confirmed a 120-day extension of sanctions waivers for Iraqi imports of Iranian electricity, asserting that “the Secretary [of State] determined this waiver is in the national security interest of the U.S., and vital to the national security of the U.S., with respect to Iraq, and certifies that this jurisdiction faced exceptional circumstances preventing it from significantly reducing its purchases of petroleum and petroleum products from Iran”.

Iran’s ambassador to Iraq reported that IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani in his meetings with Iraqi officials had “stressed the need to respect the election results”, “called on the Iraqi authorities to address electoral complaints within the framework of the law”, “expressed Iran’s support for the legal process of the elections and urged Iraqi protesters to cooperate with each other after the announcement of the final results”.

The Iraqi military reported a drone “assassination attempt” against Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. President Biden “strongly” denounced the attack, offering “all appropriate assistance to Iraq’s security forces” in their investigation process. Too, the UN Security Council members voiced condemnation “in the strongest terms”, while expressing “support for the independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, democratic process and prosperity of Iraq”. Relatedly, a Pentagon official stated that “there are multiple groups operating inside Iraq that are that are backed by Iran, who are capable of these kinds of attacks”. The following day, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson deplored the incident and asserted: “we must all help so that the culprits and the orchestrators of this incident are found… The path to stability in Iraq relies on such cooperation on the rule of law”. The same day, IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani reportedly visited Iraq and met with the prime minister and other senior officials. 

Media reports citing unnamed Iraqi security sources indicated that three rockets had landed near Baghdad’s Green Zone; no casualties were reported.

Media reports citing unnamed Iraqi security sources indicated that three rockets had landed near Baghdad’s Green Zone; no casualties were reported.

A senior IRGC commander indicated that “we see some movements in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, and terrorist and anti-Islamic Revolution groups have set up bases”, warning that if Iraqi and Kurdish authorities failed to expel them Iran would “act in accordance with the duty to destroy their bases and headquarters”.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told the UN General Assembly that “Israel is, quite literally, surrounded by Hizbollah, Shiite militias, Islamic Jihad and Hamas... And they’re all backed by Iran. They get their funding from Iran, they get their training from Iran, and they get their weapons from Iran”. Bennett also said that “just this year, Iran made operational a new deadly terror unit — swarms of killer UAVs armed with lethal weapons that can attack any place any time… Iran plans to arm its proxies in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon with hundreds and then thousands of these deadly drones”.

Media reports cited Iraqi officials revealing that Iranian and Saudi officials had held talks in Baghdad the previous week, with one unnamed source indicating the two sides addressed “pending issues between the two countries according to a previously agreed on roadmap, including diplomatic representation between the two countries”.

Iran’s intelligence minister warned that “all counterrevolutionary elements and their supporters in the [Iraq’s Kurdish] region must know that in case of disrupting security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, they will face a decisive response from… [Iran’s] Armed Forces and security apparatus”. He also reportedly “urged Iraqi officials to expel the elements… and to disarm them at the earliest”.

Iran’s foreign minister joined senior officials from the Gulf in an Iraqi-chaired follow-up to the Baghdad Conference on Cooperation and Partnership, and remarked that Iran had “always emphasised that we need endogenous and indigenous security arrangements to create stability and security in the region”. Amirabdollahian underscored that “foreign presence and intervention in any form are contrary to the goals of peace and security in the region… the priority of the new government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to strengthen and develop relations with its neighbours and the region”. According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, attendees reiterated “their support for the Iraqi government and people… and stressed the need to solve them through cooperation and mutual benefit and in accordance with the principles of international law, good neighbourliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries”.

President Joseph Biden and Iraqi President Barham Saleh discussed “strengthening the bilateral relationship and deepening cooperation on regional diplomatic initiatives”. According to the White House, Biden reiterated “the U.S. commitment to Iraq’s long-term stability” and praised “recent initiatives such as the Baghdad Regional Summit… as an important symbol of Iraq’s contributions to regional stability”.

A spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition underscored that “while we reorganise to an advisory and assist role by year’s end… we remain committed to our security cooperation and partnership with the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the fight against Daesh [ie, ISIS] as we support a stable and secure Iraq”.

A senior U.S. intelligence official indicated that “in Iraq, Shiite militant groups pose the most immediate threat to U.S. interests. We have seen these militants conduct an increasing number of indirect fire and, in the past several months, unmanned aerial systems attacks against U.S. facilities with the objective of expelling U.S. forces from the country”.

Iraq’s foreign minister indicated that the 29 August Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership “would turn into a permanent platform to sustain dialogue between the concerned countries and to create a state of cooperation and stability in the regions building economic partnership, and protecting Iraq from external threats”.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry announced that it had demolished “an anti-revolutionary team of terrorists” in north-western Iran, whom in claimed was “planning to carry out assassinations against military and law enforcement forces… extort money… [and] threaten and beat some local residents and prominent figures in the region”. According to the ministry, “a large volume of weapons and ammunition were also seized from the terrorist team”. The following day, the IRGC reported targeting “four headquarters of the anti-revolutionary groups… by precision-guided weapons in response to their movements on the border of our country with northern Iraq”. It also claimed that the groups were sponsored by “the adversary foreign intelligence services and some Arab states”.

President Raisi told Prime Minister al-Kadhimi that “Iran supports the role of Iraq in the region and we seek to institutionalise security in [the] region revolving around Iran, Iraq and neighbouring countries without intervention of foreign forces”. “The presence of foreign forces, especially Americans, in any of the countries in the region is detrimental to security and stability in the region and the implementation of the Iraqi parliament’s law on expelling American forces from the country can be useful in this regard”, he emphasised. The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, separately expressed concerns to the Iraqi premier over “the growing movements of terrorist groups that have bases in the Iraqi Kurdistan region”, calling for “their immediate disarmament and expulsion from Iraq”.

The U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition confirmed that “coalition forces at Erbil AB [Airbase] were attacked by two unmanned aircraft systems”, adding: “Force protection counter measures were used to defeat the drones. One UAS impacted inside perimeter; one UAS impacted outside perimeter” with no casualty or damage. An unnamed U.S. official said that the drones were Iranian-made.

The IRGC reported that it had “targeted terrorist positions in northern Erbil in the Iraq Kurdistan region with artillery and drones… in response to the infiltration attempts by terrorist teams belonging to the foreign-sponsored terrorist groups stationed in northern Iraq”.

A senior IRGC official asserted that “the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Region should not allow terrorists to roam and set up headquarters in this land to threaten and create insecurity against Iran… We consider any negligence in this regard to be contrary to good neighbourliness and good relations between the two countries”. He further warned that “given the situation in the region and the possibility of a decisive and shocking response from the Islamic Republic of Iran to terrorist groups affiliated with the enemies of the Islamic Revolution that are hiding in northern Iraq, we ask the residents of these areas to stay away from the terrorist bases so that they are not harmed”.

The IRGC claimed to have “spotted and dismantled a terrorist team” that had infiltrated Iran’s western border, resulting in “several deaths and injuries” and a seizure of weapons.

At the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian reiterated that “peace is possible only through dialogue and negotiation within the region”, and called for “mutual trust, reliance on national capabilities, strengthening relations and good neighbourliness as well as through the non-intervention of extra-regional governments”. He went on to describe Iran’s approach as “balanced, active and smart”. Amirabdollahian also discussed bilateral issues with senior Iraqi leaders including Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi and President Barham Salih.

Following an Iraqi invitation for Iranian attendance at a regional summit, President Raisi told Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi that “we consider it our pleasure to participate in this summit, and we will support any initiative that brings about stability in Iraq and increases the role of the country in the region”. “Foreign interference in the affairs of the region is neither a platform for security building and stability, nor a basis for development and progress”, Raisi argued. “Only the countries of the region can decide on the fate of the region”.

Meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hossein, President Raisi emphasised that “cooperation and synergy among the countries of the region, without the intervention of foreigners, are a necessary condition for the stability of regional security”. Hussein also extended Iraq’s invitation for Iranian participation in a summit that he said would “create a basis for dialogue between the countries of the region”. The Iraqi diplomat also met with other senior Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Javad Zarif.

The U.S. announced that it had “applied the measures authorised in Section 3 of the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act” against, inter alia, Kataeb Hizbollah, Asaeb Ahl al-Haq and Lebanese Hizbollah.

Media reports citing an Iraqi official indicated that the U.S. had “granted Iraq a four-month extension to a sanctions waiver allowing it to import Iranian gas”.

Two rockets struck the Green Zone in Baghdad; no casualties were reported.

Ahead of a meeting with President Biden in Washington, Prime Minister al-Kadhimi maintained that “there is no need for any foreign combat forces on Iraqi soil”, adding: “the war against IS and the readiness of our forces requires a special timetable, and this depends on the negotiations that we will conduct in Washington”. “What we want from the U.S. presence in Iraq is to support our forces in training and developing their efficiency and capabilities, and in security cooperation”, he asserted. “Iraq has a set of American weapons that need maintenance and training. We will ask the American side to continue to support our forces and develop our capabilities”.

Prime Minister al-Kadhimi met with President Biden in Washington, with Biden noting that the U.S. was “not going to be, by the end of the year, in a combat mission” in Iraq. The two governments also issued a joint statement following a Strategic Dialogue led by their top diplomats, which noted that “the security relationship will fully transition to a training, advising, assistance and intelligence-sharing role, and there will be no U.S. forces with a combat role in Iraq by 31 December 2021”. The statement further noted Baghdad’s “commitment to protect Coalition personnel advising and enabling the Iraqi Security Forces”.

President Rouhani told Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi that “for the Islamic Republic of Iran, supporting [the] stability and security, independence and territorial integrity of Iraq has a special importance, and we consider the security and stability of Iraq as our own security, and we support the presence of this neighbouring Muslim country in regional interactions”. He further argued that U.S. “policy will not help bring security and stability to Iraq, but complicate the situation… The problems of the region must be resolved by the countries of the region themselves”.

Prime Minister al-Kadhimi met with a U.S. delegation led by the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett McGurk. A statement from the premier’s office said that “mechanisms for the withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq and the transition to a new phase of strategic cooperation that develops the relationship between the two countries and enhances Iraq’s security and sovereignty were discussed”. 

A Pentagon spokesperson indicated that “without getting into attribution, many of these attacks [in Iraq] are conducted by militias that are backed by Iran, and we have made clear the degree to which Iran support for these militias needs to stop”. Asked to comment on media reports about a senior IRGC commander urging “Iraqi Shiite militias to step up attacks on U.S. targets during a meeting in Baghdad”, the spokesperson maintained that “we have made very clear our concern about these attacks, and the President’s firm commitment to protect the safety and security of our personnel in Iraq.  You have seen us act in the past in that regard, and we always retain the right of self-defence”.

A U.S. defence official confirmed what was described as “an indirect fire attack in Conoco”, a facility in eastern Syria where U.S. forces are located. There were “no casualties, injuries [or] structural damage” reported. 

A senior U.S. diplomat remarked that “I understand that some of these militias completely disagree with what the U.S. is trying to do in Iraq fighting ISIS, but we’re asking them, we’re demanding, that they just leave us along and we’ll leave them alone, so that we can fight this common enemy, which is ISIS”.

Iraqi security officials confirmed that three rockets had been fired toward Baghdad’s Green Zone, resulting in some material damage. The spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition maintained that “each attack against the GoI [Government of Iraq], KRI and the Coalition undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi National sovereignty”.

A Pentagon spokesperson said he was “deeply concerned” with respect to attacks against U.S. personnel and assets in Iraq and Syria, noting that “you’ve seen us retaliate appropriately when... safety and security has been threatened”. He added: “They’re using lethal weapons. I don’t know how you can say anything other than it’s a serious threat”. 

The spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition reported that “Ain al-Assad Air Base was attacked by fourteen rockets. The rockets landed on the base and perimeter”. He further reported “minor injuries” to two personnel at the facility, and Iraqi security forces confirmed "damages to local home and a Mosque”. The same day, the Syrian Democratic Forces reported thwarting a drone attack “on a base housing members of the U.S.-led coalition in eastern Syria”. 

The spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition reported that “one UAS impacted in [the] vicinity of Erbil Air Base, Iraq... no injuries, casualties or damage”. 

The spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition reported that “Ain al-Assad Air Base was attacked by three rockets. The rockets landed on the base perimeter. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed”. Later in the day, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad confirmed having “engaged and eliminated an airborne threat”, identified as an armed drone.

In a letter to the president of the Security Council, Iran’s UN envoy insisted that “Iran has not been involved, directly or indirectly, in any armed attack by any entity or individual against U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq”. The ambassador also condemned “in the strongest terms” 27 June U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, adding: “the argument of the U.S. that such attacks were conducted to deter the Islamic Republic of Iran and the so-called Iran-backed militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on U.S. personnel or facilities has no factual or legal ground, as it is founded on mere fabrication as well as arbitrary interpretation” of the UN charter.

Iraqi security forces reported foiling an attack intended to target military sites near Baghdad; ten missiles were seized and a suspect detained in the operation. A spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition underscored that the coalition “is committed to working cooperatively with our Iraqi partners to address rocket or drone threats, which undermine Iraq’s own sovereignty and stability, and threaten the security of Iraqi civilians”. He also noted that “Iraq’s leaders have reiterated to us their commitment to protecting ISF facilities hosting U.S. and coalition personnel”.

The Pentagon announced that it had carried out “defensive precision airstrikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region”, noting that “these facilities are utilised by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq”. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted that “we took necessary, appropriate, deliberate action that is designed to limit the risk of escalation, but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message”. An Iraqi defence official argued that the operation constituted “a blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty”, and Iran’s foreign ministry maintained that the U.S. was “upsetting security in the region”. Later in the day, a spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition confirmed that “U.S. Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets”, with no casualties reported, and subsequently announced that “U.S. Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self-defence and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket launching positions”.

The foreign ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS issued a joint statement expressing their commitment “to strengthening cooperation across all Coalition lines of effort in order to ensure that Daesh/ISIS Core in Iraq and Syria”. On Iraq, they deplored “the continuing attacks against Coalition personnel and convoys, and diplomatic facilities, emphasising the importance of the Government of Iraq protecting Coalition assets”, while hailing “the incremental expansion of NATO’s non-combat advisory, training and capacity building mission”. Regarding Syria, the ministers backed “a lasting political settlement in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254”, while noting that “the Coalition continues to support inclusive local recovery and stabilisation in areas liberated from Daesh/ISIS and reconciliation and reintegration efforts to foster conditions conducive to a Syria-wide political resolution to the conflict under the parameters of UN Security Council Resolution 2254”.

The KRG reported that four “explosive-laden drones” had impacted near Erbil. The U.S. consulate denounced the attack and characterised it as “a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty”.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the seizure of “33 websites used by the Iranian Islamic Radio and Television Union (IRTVU) and three websites operated by Kataeb Hizbollah (KH), in violation of U.S. sanctions”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson condemned the move and said: “The current U.S. administration is exactly following the previous U.S. administration’s path, which will result in nothing but a double failure for Washington”.

The spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition confirmed a rocket attack on Ain al-Asad airbase; the rocket failed to detonate and no casualties were reported.

Iraqi security forces reported that three rockets had landed at Balad airbase; there were no injuries or material damage. Later in the day, the spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition cited Iraqi security forces when indicating that in a separate incident “Baghdad International Airport was targeted with three unmanned aerial vehicle[s], one of it [sic] was shot down”. A U.S. official stated that “there was no serious damage to the facilities or casualties attributed to the attacks… A small number of personnel were treated and released for smoke inhalation”.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie emphasised that “the U.S. force presence in Iraq is there at the invitation of the Government of Iraq, and our focus remains on completing the final destruction of Daesh [ISIS]”, adding that “our forces are there largely in a train/advise/assist mentoring role”. McKenzie further noted that “we are seeing pressure from Iranian-affiliated militant groups that want to push us out of Iraq, and the latest manifestation of that has been the use of small unmanned aerial systems, or drones. Some of them are very small, some are a little bit larger – all can be very lethal”. “Political pressure [toward a U.S. withdrawal] has not worked for them; now they’re turning to a kinetic approach. And that is very concerning to me”, he indicated. “We have a variety of measures there that we can defend ourselves, but… the primary responsibility for that defence is with the Government of Iraq. And they have done a number of things that have been very helpful to reduce the threat. Nonetheless, the threat is concerning and we will take whatever measures are necessary to defend ourselves”.

The Iraqi military reported that “air defences at… Ain al-Asad airbase that hosts U.S. Forces, intercepted and shot down two drones”. Relatedly, a spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition confirmed that “the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center (BDSC) was attacked by one rocket round. The rocket impacted near the BDSC and caused no injuries or damage”. “Each attack against the GoI [Government of Iraq], KRI and the Coalition undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi National sovereignty”, he added.

Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi stated that he was “proud that Iraq’s relations with Iran are at their best now”, adding: “We have established balanced relations with all neighbours. No exchanges were made at the expense of another country, especially with Iran”. He also expressed “hope that the Iranian-Arab, Iranian-Saudi and even Iranian relationships with other countries of the region would grow… Iraq endeavours to pave the way, if requested to do so, to get the views of the conflicted parties in the region closer”. “Everyone thinks that there is an opportunity for stability”, al-Kadhimi asserted.  

The U.S. State Department expressed “outrage[] that peaceful demonstrators who took to the street [in Iraq] to urge reform were met with threats and brutal violence”, adding: “the violation of Iraqi sovereignty and rule of law by armed militias harms all Iraqis and their country”. It went to “welcome every effort by the government to hold accountable the militias, thugs and vigilante groups for their attacks against Iraqis exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as well as for their assault on the rule of law”.

The spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition reported that “Ain al-Asad airbase was attacked by one rocket round. No injuries reported. Damage is being assessed”. “Each attack against the Government of Iraq, KRG and Coalition undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi national sovereignty”, he added.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie met with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi and underscored that U.S. “support to the Iraqi Security Forces continues to evolve as they expand their ability to plan and conduct operations independently. Today, we have a relatively small U.S. footprint here – all at the invitation of the Government of Iraq – that is focused on advising, equipping and assisting the ISF”. Speaking with reporters, McKenzie raised concerns over the increasing use of drones by Iranian-backed militias and maintained: “We’re working very hard to find technical fixes that would allow us to be more effective against drones… Still, I don’t think we’re where we want to be”. He further assessed that the militias “believe they can carry out attacks at a fairly low level that won’t provoke a response, yet will create enough friction that will eventually induce us to leave. I think it’s a dangerous situation”.

President Rouhani told Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi that “the Americans have always had a destructive role in the region and their presence in Iraq will not contribute to the country’s security and stability in any way”. According to an Iranian readout, Rouhani further commended “Baghdad’s positive role in intervening to resolve disputes among regional states”.

Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the Iraqi ambassador and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spoke to his Iraqi counterpart after an attack against the Iranian consulate in Karbala. A spokesperson said that “Iran strongly condemns the attack on its diplomatic missions in Iraq and… hopes that the Iraqi government will fulfill its obligations to protect and safeguard Iran’s diplomatic missions”.

The spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition reported that “Ain al-Asad airbase was attacked by an unmanned aerial surveillance system. No injuries reported. A hanger was damaged”. “Each attack against the GoI [Government of Iraq], KRG and Coalition undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi national sovereignty”, he added.

Iraqi President Barham Salih confirmed that Baghdad had hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia “more than once”. “It is ongoing, and it is important and it is significant, and for Iraq to be able to play that convening role between these regional actors is important”, he added.

Citing Iraqi security officials, the spokesperson for the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition indicated that “two Katyusha rockets landed in an empty square at Ain Al-Asad Air Base… No casualties or material losses”. The spokesperson added that “each attack against the GoI [Government of Iraq], KRG and Coalition undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi national sovereignty”.

The Iraqi military reported that four rockets had struck Balad airbase. 

The Iraqi military reported that two rockets had targeted Baghdad International Airport.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie underlined that “we were in Iraq at the request of the government of Iraq… And we’re there to continue the fight against ISIS, along with many coalition partners who are there with us. That fight is not yet completed, although we’re pleased to see that the Iraqi Security Forces have now moved into the lead”. “Our mission has… shifted from a mission of direct combat to one of more support for them, training, advising, assisting, often at a very high level”, he added, while noting: “Our future in Iraq will be determined by negotiations and consultation with the government of Iraq going forward. But I don’t believe we're going to be leaving Iraq”. McKenzie further assessed that “the government of Iraq has been very aggressive and very proactive in taking measures to defend us at the various bases that we are located in inside Iraq… They are not always successful. And the Iranian proxy groups that operate inside Iraq are, in fact, a direct threat ultimately to the sovereignty of Iraq. Even as they threaten us, so do they threaten the government of Iraq”.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie assessed that “while diplomatic efforts are underway to address Iran’s nuclear program and other destabilising activities, we should be very clear that we remain in a state of contested deterrence with Iran, which continues to play a dangerous game by supporting proxies and affiliated groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen”. McKenzie added: “These groups are often willing to take risks that Tehran is not. So long as Iran continues its material support for these groups, the region will not know true stability and security”.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met with his Iraqi counterpart and thanked Baghdad “for its efforts to establish dialogue in the region”, adding: “we hope that these efforts will lead to more serious dialogues in the region”. Zarif went on to say: “All of us will always be together in this region and we must build our relations based on friendship, brotherhood and good neighbourliness, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs, and this is the policy of the Islamic Republic in this region”. Zarif also met with President Barham Salih, who noted that “there should be a joint coordination and collaboration, where there could be further dialogue to bridge the difference and to put an end to the conflicts and disputes” in the region. The following day, Zarif visited Erbil and met with senior Kurdistan Regional Government officials. According to an Iranian media reports, Zarif and the KRG prime minister underlined “the need for spread of stability and calm in Iraq as well as not-allowing anti-Iranian measures in [the] Iraqi Kurdistan region”.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken conferred with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s prime minister on “continued attacks on Iraqi, U.S. and Coalition forces”. “These attacks represent an egregious violation of Iraqi sovereignty”, the two officials noted.

Media reports citing Iraq security sources indicated that "at least three rockets landed in the perimeter of Baghdad International Airport".

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie assessed that “Iran still pursues a policy of attempting to eject the U.S., and indeed our partners and allies from the region as well, and that's principally fought out in the battleground that is Iraq for them”. “Over most of 2020”, he added, “they thought they had a political solution to force the U.S. out of Iraq… that is no longer the case, it’s evident from the recent Strategic Dialogue and from other signals we receive from the Government of Iraq”. McKenzie went on to posit that “you might see kinetic events spring up as a result of that in Iraq. But that is different from the larger Iranian desire to avoid a state-on-state conflict with the U.S.”

U.S. CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie reported that “since the beginning of the year, Iranian-aligned militia groups (IAMGs) in Iraq and Syria likely conducted more than 50 improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi-operated, Coalition-contracted logistical convoys, and nine indirect fire attacks against U.S. diplomatic facilities or Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. and Coalition personnel”. McKenzie further noted that Iran “uses a combination of coercion and IAMG violence to bring about the removal of U.S. forces from Iraq, despite U.S. and Coalition forces being in Iraq at the request of the Government of Iraq (GoI). Iran’s political maneuverings toward this end have failed to date, while the U.S. and GoI continue strategic dialogue to maintain momentum in the Global Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS) campaign”.

Commenting on media reports of Iran-Saudi talks in Baghdad, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson noted “conflicting quotes”, adding: “Iran has always welcomed dialogue with the Saudi kingdom and considered it in the interest of the peoples of the two countries as well as regional peace and stability. [Iran] will continue to think this way”.

Iraqi security sources confirmed that five rockets targeted Balad air base, injuring two. The U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition noted that “there are no Coalition/U.S. Forces stationed” at the base.

The U.S., along with France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, denounced “in the strongest terms the 14 April attacks in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region”. “We are united in our view that attacks on U.S. and Coalition personnel and facilities will not be tolerated and reiterate our steadfast commitment to the fight against ISIS”, the five countries noted.

President Rouhani spoke with Iraqi President Barham Salih and underlined that “strengthening the dignity, authority and independence of Iraq, and promoting the country’s regional and international position is especially important for us”. “We oppose any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Iraq and we consider it to the detriment of the country and the whole region, and believe that regional security should be ensured by the countries of the region”, Rouhani asserted, adding: “The Americans have always played a destructive role in the region, and the presence of American troops in the region has not helped to bring peace and stability in any way”.

Media reports citing Kurdish officials reported that “a rocket landed near a U.S. base at Erbil airport”. The Kurdistan Regional Government subsequently issued a statement indicating that the “Erbil International Airport attack was conducted by a drone [and] targeted the military section of the airport where U.S.-led coalition are stationed. No casualties… but damage caused to one warehouse”. The State Department’s spokesperson said he was “outraged by reports of attacks in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The Iraqi people have suffered for far too long from this kind of violence and violation of their sovereignty”.

The U.S. Intelligence Community’s 2021 Annual Threat Assessment asserted that “Iran will remain a problematic actor in Iraq, which will be the key battleground for Iran’s influence… and Iranian-supported Iraqi Shiite militias will continue to pose the primary threat to U.S. personnel in Iraq”. “The Iraqi Government almost certainly will continue to struggle to… control Iranian-backed Shiite militias”, the report added. “Iranian-backed Shiite militias are likely to continue attacks against U.S. targets… to press U.S. forces to leave if the Iraqi Government does not reach an agreement with Washington on a timetable for withdrawal”.

Iraq’s National Security Advisor met with senior Iranian officials in Tehran. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif contended that “foreign forces must leave the region” while affirming Iranian’s support for Iraq’s “independence, security, territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iraq”. In a separate meeting, Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami asserted that “the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq within the framework of the wise legislation approved by this country’s parliament will help the establishment and improvement of security and stability in Iraq and the region”.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Iraqi counterpart convened for a U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue. A joint statement noted that “based on the increasing capacity of the ISF [Iraqi Security Forces], the parties confirmed that the mission of U.S. and Coalition forces has now transitioned to one focused on training and advisory tasks, thereby allowing for the redeployment of any remaining combat forces from Iraq, with the timing to be established in upcoming technical talks”. The communique also noted Baghdad’s “commitment to protect the Global Coalition’s personnel, convoys and diplomatic facilities”.

The Iraqi military confirmed that two rockets landed near Balad air base; no casualties were reported.

The U.S. State Department confirmed that it had extended Iraq’s sanctions waiver for Iranian energy imports by 120 days, adding: “The waiver ensures that Iraq is able to meet its short-term energy needs while it takes steps to reduce its dependence on Iranian energy imports”.