Baghdad

Iraq forced to balance US, Iran relations after separate meetings with Trump, Iranian ambassador

Over the last decade, Iraq has been weakened from within because of Iranian-backed militias. Some of the militias have historical ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran.

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a parliamentary session to vote in a new government headed by Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister, at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 14, 2026.
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as they participate in a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington.

US pushes Mediterranean oil pipelines to bypass Strait of Hormuz despite proxy security risks

Security is stationed outside the US Embassy is seen in Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" on March 17, 2026.

Iraqi security forces target political ‘corruption’ in Baghdad Green Zone raids

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives for a bilateral meeting with Switzerland's counterpart at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026.

Iran's Araghchi heads to Iraq as rumors swirl in Baghdad over Green Zone raid


Four Iraqi police officers killed in fighting with ISIS

Allegedly taking shelter in the rural town, IS fighters emerged from hiding and attacked law enforcement, leading to the deadly clash, according to police.  

Iraqi police at site of Kirku bomb attack 370

Powerful Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Sadr girds for political comeback

His return likely planned for the 2025 parliamentary election, could threaten the growing clout of rivals, including Iraqi Shi'ite parties and armed factions close to Iran.

 A man walks past a picture of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr during Iraq's provincial council elections, in Baghdad, Iraq, December 18, 2023.

Mysterious explosion highlights threats of Iraqi Shi'ite militias - analysis

Who are the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq who threaten Israel, the US, and the region?

 Missiles of the kind used during Iran's retaliatory strike on the U.S Ayn al-Asad military base in 2020 are seen on display at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran, Iran January 7, 2022.

Airstrike hits military base south of Baghdad used by terror organization, sources say

A huge blast hit an Iraqi military base used by Popular Mobilization Forces near Baghdad.

A general view shows the Kalso military base after it was hit by a huge explosion on late Friday, in Babil Province, Iraq April 20, 2024.

On Iranian commander's request, Iraqi terrorists dial down attacks on US

Esmail Qaani said the militias should lie low to avoid US strikes on their senior commanders, destruction of key infrastructure, or even a direct retaliation against Iran, the sources said.

 Esmail Qaani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, speaks in Tehran, Iran April 14, 2022

Iraq recalls envoy from Iran after attack on 'Israeli spy HQ'

The Iraqi government will take all legal measures against these actions that are considered a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and the security of its people.

 People demonstrate in front of the United Nations headquarters, following missile attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024.

European rabbis to Sweden on Torah burning: Amend laws, ensure unity

The Swedish embassy in Baghdad faced the brunt of the outrage when it was stormed in protest.

 Burning books.

Iraq expels Swedish ambassador over planned Quran burning

Baghdad had notified the Swedish government "that any recurrence of the incident involving the burning of the Holy Quran on Swedish soil would necessitate severing diplomatic relations."

Protesters clash with security forces members as they gather near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad hours after the embassy was stormed and set on fire ahead of an expected Koran burning in Stockholm, in Baghdad, Iraq, July 20, 2023.

Swedish FM condemns storming of embassy in Baghdad over Quran burning

Hundreds of protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire early on Thursday morning.

 Protesters gather near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad hours after the embassy was stormed and set on fire ahead of an expected Koran burning in Stockholm, in Baghdad, Iraq, July 20, 2023.

Iraqi PM visits Syria in first trip since Syrian war

The Iraqi prime minister began an official visit to Syria on Sunday, for the first time since the outbreak of the Syrian war.

President Bashar al-Assad (C) meeting with Iraq's Chief of Staff Othman al-Ghanimi (4th-R) and Iran's Chief of Staff Mohammad Hossein Bagheri (5th-L) in the presence of Syrian Defence Minister Ali Abdullah Ayyoub (3rd-R) in the Syrian capital Damascus