Less than a month after sanctioning four Iran-backed militias in Iraq, Washington imposed a new wave of sanctions that targeted Iraqi officials and state institutions accused of laundering money for Tehran’s government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats to target leaders of Iraqi factions have raised questions over whether his remarks signal a real danger or are merely for political show—and how Baghdad will respond.

As UN sanctions on Tehran take effect following the expiration of the so-called snapback mechanism, Iraqi political figures are warning of serious repercussions for their country, especially after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hinted at Tehran’s plans to navigate the crisis.

One by one, Iraq’s ruling Shiite factions have been making concessions to the United States under unprecedented pressure from Washington on Tehran-aligned allies who assumed power after the 2003 U.S. invasion and the fall of Saddam Hussein.

For the first time since taking office in 2022, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s visit to Oman has raised eyebrows, coming just as speculation mounts over possible Israeli Occupation attacks on Iraq and war on Iran.