Since the protests erupted, Iran’s leadership has leveled direct accusations at the United States, accusing it for what officials describe as riots sweeping the country.

As U.S. forces pull out of central and western Iraq toward the northern Kurdistan region, reports say the PMF are being deployed to Iraqi army camps, sparking speculation about potential Israeli strikes on Iran-backed Shia groups.

Iran’s decision to target the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, rather than any other country in the region, came as a major surprise—especially given the strong ties between Tehran and Doha.

Iran’s June 23, 2025 strike on a U.S. base in the Gulf immediately brought to mind the retaliation for Qassem Soleimani’s assassination; a move that reshuffled the strategic balance.