Baghdad caught between allies as US hits Iran
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq finds itself in a delicate diplomatic dance, caught between its two key allies—the United States and Iran—after the U.S. launched a series of striking military actions.
On June 21–22, U.S. forces carried out airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear sites (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan) in coordination with Israel, aiming to dismantle Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities.
Earlier, Baghdad formally condemned the military strikes, reaffirming its commitment to sovereignty and diplomacy. In that statement, Iraq notably avoided naming the United States as the source of the attacks.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is facing a possibly career-defining moment. Iraq has strategic and economic links with the United States, including military collaboration and security cooperation, while also retaining substantial cultural, political, and trade ties with neighboring Iran.
By publicly denouncing the attack yet omitting the U.S. from blame, Al-Sudani walks a razor's edge.
If he leans too far towards Washington, he risks alienating Tehran and Iraq's pro‑Iran political factions. Conversely, overt criticism of Iran could erode support among his domestic base, which strongly favors sovereignty and anti-interventionist policies.
Adding to the complexity is the presence of powerful Iran-backed militias within Iraq. These groups have the capability and historical precedent to target US assets, including military bases and the American embassy in Baghdad or Erbil.
Al-Sudani and Iraqi goverment must now manage the volatile domestic landscape to prevent retaliatory strikes that could drag Iraq deeper into the conflict.
Al-Sudani's next actions, whether they involve convening a regional summit, advocating for UN involvement, or engaging with leaders in Washington and Tehran, will define both his premiership and Iraq's future position in a quickly destabilize region.
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