Baghdad is the capital city of Iraq. Known as Iraq's political and administrative center, it hosts the U.S. Embassy, the Green Zone, and has long been a focal point of U.S.-Iran rivalry and proxy activity. Recently, Baghdad has experienced drone and missile attacks on U.S. facilities, U.S. strikes on IRGC figures, and intensified diplomatic activity between Iraqi, Iranian, and American officials. Last updated 6 days ago
Iraq agreed with the Trump administration to tighten financial controls blocking U.S. dollars from reaching Iran and its militias, ending a four-month suspension of American currency shipments to Baghdad. - WSJ
Iraq's Green Zone in Baghdad has been placed under lockdown as military forces deploy, with reports of raids targeting the residences of government officials, according to The New Region.
Iraq's prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi met with Trump's Iraq envoy Tom Brack in Baghdad today. Al-Zaidi has been invited to the White House in July. Washington views him as the leader who will break up Iran-linked Shiite militias.
Several senior IRGC officials overseeing Iraq were killed in a U.S. strike on a house in Baghdad's Al-Jadriya district last week, Al-Hadath reports. Among the dead: the deputy commander of the Quds Force's Iraq corps and five IRGC advisers. Their bodies were secretly transferred to Iran via Qasr-e Shirin. The targets had not been previously identified.
Kuwait's prosecution indicted four IRGC members who tried to enter the country by sea to carry out terror attacks against American and Kuwaiti targets. Two other cell members escaped after exchanging fire with Kuwaiti troops.
Iraqi pro-Ira...
Kuwait's prosecution indicted four IRGC members who tried to enter the country by sea to carry out terror attacks against American and Kuwaiti targets. Two other cell members escaped after exchanging fire with Kuwaiti troops.
Iraqi pro-Iranian militias were expected to assist the cell if needed, revealing coordination between the IRGC and its regional proxies. The same militias have recently been launching drones at the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Tehran is simultaneously pushing to shape Baghdad's next government in its favor.
Quds Force chief Gen. Ismail Qaani was in Baghdad over the past 48 hours meeting Iran-backed militia leaders and Iraqi officials, per Al-Akhbar.
Sources told the outlet the visit focused on reorganizing pro-Iran factions and keeping coordination channels intact amid the Iran-Israel-U.S. escalation.
Reports of Israeli military presence inside Iraq preceded the visit.
Reports related to the Zionist entity’s establishment of a secret military base inside Iraqi territory will be raised with Baghdad. What is clear from the record of the Zionist entity’s behavior in the region is that it does not adhere to any borders or red lines when it comes to striking the countries of the region, provoking disagreement between them, or harming the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iraq confirms its military was hit by a foreign force in early March, responding to a WSJ report on an Israeli base built in Iraq during the Iran war. Baghdad says April–May search operations found no foreign or unauthorized presence, personnel, or equipment anywhere in the country.
IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani reportedly was in Baghdad yesterday. He met with leaders of multiple armed factions to coordinate for a potential new round of fighting and pushed for the election of a pro-Iran prime minister.
A Grad rocket fired by pro-Iran Iraqi militias at a U.S. base near Baghdad airport struck a home in Al-Amiriya, killing at least two, Iraqi media report.
Oman Air extends cancellations of flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Copenhagen and Baghdad until April 15 amid ongoing airspace closures, Anadolu reports.
