The White House has delivered its most direct warning yet to the Iraqi government, cautioning that any intervention by Iran-backed armed factions in response to upcoming US military operations near Iraq will provoke a forceful response.
Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi, during an interview with Al-Sharqiya News Channel aired on Sunday, said that US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth notified him about a planned military operation in Syria. He said during a phone call, which apparently lasted about 11–12 minutes, that included senior Iraqi military officials, Hegseth warned against the involvement of Iraqi armed factions in any response to US actions. The call reportedly took place about ten days ago.
Iraq is preparing for its sixth parliamentary elections since the 2003 US-led intervention, scheduled for 11 November, amid sharp political divisions. Mixed signals from Washington have raised concerns among political actors, particularly among Shia forces.
Al-Abbasi emphasised that the warning specifically targeted Iranian-linked Iraqi militias, underlining Washington's determination to deter any interference by these groups.
The strongly worded warning came just two days after a message from Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump's special envoy to Iraq, in which he appeared to support Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who is facing disputes within the Shiite Coordination Framework that includes most factions aligned with Iran’s agenda in Iraq. Experts say it forms part of a broader US strategy to curb Iranian influence in Iraq and the wider region, with potential military action looming.
Over recent years, Iraq's leadership has worked to strengthen sovereignty, unify security forces, control weapons under the legitimate government, and open markets to international investment to rebuild the country's fragile infrastructure. However, challenges persist, and continued support is necessary to sustain progress.
In an official statement on 31 October, Savaya emphasised that armed groups operating outside state authority have no place in Iraq. He emphasised that Iraq's stability and prosperity depend on unified security forces under a single government, as well as cooperation between federal and regional authorities to ensure lasting security, economic growth, and national cohesion.
"Iraq is a pivotal country in the region and must play its natural role in promoting regional peace, security, and stability. Iraq must not return to the past or adopt approaches that hinder progress and unity," Savaya said. "It is my mission, on behalf of President Trump, to engage with Iraq and support its continued pursuit of stability, sovereignty, and prosperity."