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.

Baghdad’s ability to resist Iranian pressure is under scrutiny after reports that a senior Iraqi official rejected a request to channel money to Hezbollah via Syria, leaving open the question of whether the cash could yet reach Lebanon.

In Iraq, rising Sunni-led opposition figures opposing Iranian influence gain media attention, but critics warn their rhetoric risks unrest and exaggerates regime-change prospects.

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.

Kata’ib Hezbollah and other factions are withdrawing from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces amid U.S. and British pressure, internal political disputes, and upcoming elections, raising questions over Iranian influence, militia integration, and the future role of the PMF in Iraq’s security and governance.