In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called for the reinforcement of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi), despite growing international pressure to dismantle Iran-backed militias in Iraq. “Hashd al-Shaabi is one of the key elements of power in Iraq that must be preserved and strengthened,” Khamenei said during the meeting in Tehran on January 8.
Khamenei also accused the United States of seeking to expand its influence in Iraq, warning, “Evidence suggests that Americans are working to consolidate their presence in Iraq. This must be resisted.”
The Supreme Leader’s comments come as Iraq faces mounting demands to rein in and disband pro-Iran militias following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and the weakening of Hezbollah in Lebanon. These developments have shaken the foundation of Tehran’s “Axis of Resistance,” leaving many of its proxies exposed. Western powers, led by the United States, have reportedly threatened military action against Iraqi militias if Baghdad fails to comply with demands for their disarmament.
#Iran News: State Media Warns #Iraq May Be Iran’s Last Stronghold After Losing Syriahttps://t.co/gfEjmYf47Z
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 7, 2025
The integration or dissolution of these militias has become a focal point in Iraq, with Prime Minister Al-Sudani under significant pressure to balance domestic interests and international demands. Ibrahim Al-Sumaidaie, an advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, recently stated on national television, “Iraq must no longer be linked to the ‘Axis of Resistance’ after the fall of Assad and Hezbollah’s weakening. We must dissolve these factions or risk this being imposed on us by force.”
Khamenei’s rhetoric reflects a regime in defensive mode, seeking to rally its remaining allies amidst significant losses. Political analysts suggest that Tehran is reluctant to relinquish its influence over armed factions in Iraq, seeing them as critical to its regional strategy. Esmail Qaani, commander of IRGC Quds Force, visited Baghdad recently to discuss the situation and may have proposed partial measures to restructure rather than fully disband these groups.
Masoud Pezeshkian, the regime’s president, took a noticeably softer tone during Al-Sudani’s visit, focusing on regional cooperation and security. “Both countries share concerns about stability in Syria, preserving territorial integrity, and combating terrorism,” Pezeshkian said in a joint press conference. This disparity between Khamenei’s call for “Syrian youth to take back their land” and Pezeshkian’s conciliatory remarks highlights the regime’s internal struggle to project strength while addressing the fallout from its strategic losses.
A brief overview on how the #IRGCterrorists Quds Force rearranged the group perceived as the "Iraqi branch of Al-Qaeda" into the "Islamic State of Iraq" and then to #ISIS, helped cracking down on Iraqi and #Syrian uprisings and paved the way to create the PMF. pic.twitter.com/GwacqJhFPH
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 18, 2024
The demands for disbanding militias like Hashd al-Shaabi align with broader international efforts to curtail Tehran’s influence in the region. The collapse of Assad’s regime has significantly reduced Tehran’s ability to project power in the Middle East. Iraqi militias, long seen as Tehran’s foothold in Baghdad, are now under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Iranian-backed factions have ceased cross-border attacks on Israel, leaving the Houthis in Yemen as Tehran’s last openly active proxy force.
In response to these pressures, Khamenei has sought to reassert Iran’s role in Iraq, describing the militias as “key to Iraq’s sovereignty and strength.” However, analysts argue that this strategy exposes the regime’s precarious position.
Khamenei’s meeting with Al-Sudani underscores Tehran’s determination to maintain its influence in Iraq, even as its regional proxies falter. However, the increasingly vocal calls from Iraqi leaders to distance the country from the “Axis of Resistance” reflect a shifting regional dynamic. With Assad’s fall and Hezbollah’s weakening, the future of Iran’s proxy network appears uncertain, signaling a turning point for both Tehran and Baghdad as they navigate the new Middle East landscape.