Faisal bin Farhan al Saud’s criticism of the Popular Mobilization Forces triggered Iraqi backlash but no official escalation.

A US defense official stated that American forces have conducted operations in Iraq concurrently with the military campaign being carried out by the U.S. and “Israel” against Iran.

As Trump threatens to strike Iran if the authorities move to kill protesters, Tehran has relied on Iraqi militias loyal to it to help suppress demonstrations that erupted across the country on December 28, 2025, sparked by a sharp economic downturn.

With Iraq’s parliamentary elections concluded, the winning alliances and parties have begun initial consultations to form the largest coalition that will select a candidate to lead the new government, amid deep divisions within the Coordination Framework.

During the electoral campaign, public statements from figures linked to Iran-backed armed factions praised al-Halbousi and urged Sunni voters to support him, while warning against voting for the Iraqi Sovereignty Alliance.