Iranian-backed Iraqi umbrella for militias
Armed groups in Iraq have begun inventorying weapons and aligning under state authority following calls from top Shiite authorities and political blocs. Muqtada al‑Sadr has pledged to separate Saraya al‑Salam from his movement and integrate it into state structures, while Asaib Ahl al‑Haqq and Imam Ali Brigades are also moving to surrender arms and coordinate with the armed forces amid renewed U.S. pressure.
The Iraqi prime minister-designate has arrived in Washington as Washington pressures Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed militias and curb corruption. The visit centers on expanding economic ties, attracting investment, and reinforcing state control, amid Tehran’s influence and security challenges.
A string of strikes and counterstrikes across the region has escalated the Iran-US confrontation. The U.S. and its allies have targeted Iranian military targets and shipping infrastructure, while Iran and its allied groups threaten to disrupt global energy routes through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. The crisis has drawn in regional powers and raised questions about safeguards for global oil flows.
The latest cross-border clashes have intensified across multiple fronts involving Iran-backed militias, Iraqi groups, and regional powers. The Strait of Hormuz remains volatile as economic pressure and maritime threats escalate. Authorities warn that escalation could threaten global energy supplies.
The US has carried out a "heavy wave of strikes" against dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sites in Iran after Tehran launched missiles at a US base in Jordan. Strikes have hit command centres, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites. Jordan reports its defences intercepted missiles; Iranian outlets report civilian casualties on Qeshm island.