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.

Shiite factions under the Popular Mobilization Forces have penetrated Iraq’s economic sphere, sparking genuine concern among major traders about losing their livelihoods to competitors backed by the power of arms.

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.

While the U.S. had planned to move into a second phase of the mission, targeting top Houthi commanders, that goal was hindered by the group's ability to neutralize Washington’s most advanced surveillance asset: the MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Iran's military presence in Yemen is increasingly under pressure as the United States ramps up its threats against the Tehran-backed Houthi group, which has relied on Iranian support—both military and logistical, including advisors—over the past decade.