Iraq tightens security at US bases as militias mobilise over Israel's war on Iran

As the world watches for Iran's response to US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, Iran-aligned militias in Iraq are reportedly preparing to target US military sites inside the country and across the region.

Meanwhile, Iraq has launched heightened security measures around key military installations hosting US-led coalition forces, following Washington’s entry into direct conflict with Iran. Military officials in Baghdad told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister outlet, on Sunday that the deployment aims to prevent retaliatory attacks by pro-Iran factions.

Two senior Defence Ministry officials said special units, including military intelligence and armoured forces, had been stationed around Ain al-Assad airbase in western Anbar. The base, which hosts US troops, is now under a tight security cordon, with surveillance drones monitoring the perimeter and civilian access restricted to local villagers.

Similar measures have been imposed at Camp Victory near Baghdad International Airport, while Kurdish Peshmerga units have reinforced monitoring around Harir airbase in Erbil.

One official confirmed that the US military evacuated non-combat personnel from multiple Iraqi bases last week as a precaution. The United States and Iraq had previously announced that the US-led anti-IS coalition would end its mission in federal Iraq by the end of 2025, and in the Kurdistan Region by September 2026. There are currently about 2,500 American troops stationed in Iraq.

Early on Sunday, the US carried out a series of strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, joining its ally Israel's war on the country, now in its second week.

In a public address, President Donald Trump praised the strikes, calling them "spectacular military success", and claimed that three nuclear facilities had been "completely and fully obliterated".

The Iranian government reacted with anger, admitting that the nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—had been attacked by "enemy strikes". All three are central to Iran's nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is intended for peaceful purposes.

Iranian media channels have reported that the Supreme National Security Council must now make the final decision on whether to close the Strait of Hormuz, after parliament reportedly approved the measure.

The narrow waterway, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil and gas demand flows, is vital to regional and global energy markets. Its closure would have severe economic consequences for Iraq, which relies on it as its sole export route for crude oil—the backbone of the country's economy.

A full blockade could push Iraq into a financial crisis, making it difficult to pay salaries for millions of public sector workers and potentially triggering mass protests that might lead to the government’s collapse, analysts warn.

Militias mobilise 

Media reports suggest Iran-backed militias in Iraq have established a joint operations room and divided the country into three military zones—north, central, and west—as part of a contingency plan for retaliatory attacks on US forces. These strikes may extend beyond Iraq to US installations across the Gulf region, if tensions escalate further.

Political observers in Baghdad claim US forces have already withdrawn personnel from Ain al-Assad in anticipation of potential militia retaliation. The base has long served as a strategic command centre for US operations in Iraq. The New Arab could not independently verify these claims.

TNA reached out via email to the US-led International Coalition against ISIS about the reported evacuation, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Several armed groups aligned with Iran, among them Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Harakat al-Nujaba, have vowed to respond if Washington expands its strikes against Tehran. Some reportedly notified Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani last week of their readiness to act.

Security analyst Ahmed al-Nuaimi warned that "any attack on US assets in Iraq is likely to trigger a massive retaliatory response from Washington".

"It remains unclear if the factions will follow through," he added, "but if they do, the US will use that as justification for wide-ranging strikes against militia headquarters and leadership figures." He noted the Iraqi government may have limited ability to restrain such actions if they are coordinated with Tehran.

The Iraqi government has condemned the US bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities, warning it could ignite a broader regional conflict and undermine stability.

Government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi said the attacks pose "a serious threat to security and peace in the Middle East and expose regional stability to severe risks".

"Iraq affirms its principled rejection of the use of force in international relations," he said, emphasising the need to protect civilian infrastructure, especially those monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Prime Minister Sudani held a crisis meeting on Sunday with President Abdul Latif Rashid, Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, and Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan. In a joint statement, the presidencies reaffirmed support for government efforts to protect Iraq’s sovereignty and rejected the use of its territory for attacks on neighbouring states.

The meeting condemned the US strikes on Iran as "a blatant breach of international norms" and called on the international community to urgently work towards de-escalation.

The leaders also warned of the dangers posed by targeting nuclear infrastructure and expressed concern over potential environmental and security fallout. 

No radiation detected, but risks remain

Iraq's nuclear regulatory authority reported that no radiation leaks were detected following the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Border monitoring stations showed radiation levels remained within normal background limits.

However, environmental expert Adel Mukhtar cautioned that the risk is not yet over. "The absence of contamination now doesn’t mean we're out of danger," he told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. "There could still be delayed environmental fallout depending on wind direction and speed."

He urged the government to maintain continuous monitoring and launch public awareness campaigns. "Most citizens don’t know how to handle such scenarios," he said. "We need preparedness, not just reassurance."

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Baghdad confirmed a second phase of staff drawdowns on 21 and 22 June. Routine visa services remain suspended in both Baghdad and Erbil, while US nationals have been advised to avoid areas frequented by foreigners due to potential security threats from groups inspired by foreign terror organisations.