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US Warns Iraq Against Renewed Ties with Iran

Published January 26, 2026, 06:11
US Warns Iraq Against Renewed Ties with Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Iraq against any rapprochement with Iran, as former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a politician aligned with Tehran, is expected to return to power. The US expresses concerns that a government under Iranian influence would not be able to serve Iraq's interests, keep it out of regional conflicts, and maintain good relations with the US. This warning comes at a time when Iran is facing internal difficulties and regional losses, while the US maintains significant control over Iraq's oil revenues. Washington states that it will make decisions based on US interests, but acknowledges Iraq's sovereignty in choosing its leaders. The outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has earned US trust by reducing attacks from Iraqi armed groups supported by Iran.