Iraq is intensifying diplomatic efforts amid local media reports of possible U.S. strikes targeting 16 sites linked to Iranian-backed Iraqi factions. The strikes, originally planned for August, were reportedly postponed due to the Shi’a commemoration of Arbaeen al-Husayn.
On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani made his first official visit to Oman, which Iraqi outlets described as an attempt to secure Omani mediation to ease tensions with the United States. Others suggested the visit also aimed at deterring potential Israeli strikes on Iraq.
Internal Mobilisation
Coinciding with al-Sudani’s trip to Muscat, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh arrived in Baghdad in place of Abbas Araghchi, at Iraq’s request, to discuss regional threats, particularly from Israel. Iraqi daily al-Alam al-Jadid reported that Baghdad is striving to prevent the region from sliding into a new war that would harm Iraq first and foremost. The paper added that Khatibzadeh expressed Iran’s understanding of these concerns.
A week earlier, Iraq’s intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri had travelled to Damascus, carrying a letter from al-Sudani to Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar’ah. Both sides agreed to boost security cooperation and expand direct coordination between their intelligence agencies.
These external moves followed media leaks, including from al-Sumaria TV, that the U.S. informed al-Sudani of its intention to strike 16 facilities belonging to Iraqi factions at any time after the end of the Arbaeen pilgrimage two weeks ago. According to the channel, Washington’s threat was a response to a July attack on the al-Shaddadi base in Syria — blamed on Kataib Hezbollah. Al-Sudani reportedly briefed Iraq’s Coordination Framework leadership on the warning.
In response, Iraqi channel al-Rasheed reported that the government had ordered Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) fighters to be deployed within army camps to shield them from potential strikes.
A “New Alliance”
Commenting on the developments, Iraqi political analyst Athir al-Shar’ said al-Sudani’s Muscat visit came at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and coincided with “undeclared threats and pre-identified Israeli targets.”
He argued that the visit reflects efforts to build a “new alliance” to ward off regional dangers, recalling Oman’s historic role as a mediator between Washington and Tehran during nuclear negotiations.
According to al-Shar’, al-Sudani and Sultan Haitham agreed to exert all efforts to protect Iraq and the region from looming dangers, particularly in light of warnings of renewed conflict between Israel and Iran.
“If another confrontation erupts between Iran and Israel,” al-Shar’ warned, “Iraq will not remain outside the conflict this time. All of al-Sudani’s moves are aimed at distancing Iraq from imminent threats, especially before parliamentary elections scheduled for 11 November.”
He also noted that elections could be delayed if Iraq is subjected to U.S. or Israeli strikes, stressing that Baghdad’s diplomacy seeks to avert such a scenario.
Al-Shar’ linked the manoeuvres to the draft PMF law, which was recently withdrawn from parliament to delay voting — seen as a message of reassurance that Iraq would not act outside the framework of the U.S.-led coalition, especially after objections from Washington and London.
He concluded: “All indications point to an imminent strike on Iraq, but Baghdad’s official moves may help postpone it. At the same time, Tehran has assured Baghdad it does not want Iraq turned into a battleground or a platform against it.”
“Full Mandate”
Political analyst Ahmad al-Alwani, based in Berlin, told Arabi21 that al-Sudani’s government has obtained “full authorisation” from the Coordination Framework parties and ten major factions in Iraq to negotiate with Washington in order to avert any U.S. or Israeli military action.
Al-Alwani said al-Sudani has quietly launched a diplomatic drive, the latest step being talks through Omani mediation, following the failure of an Iraqi delegation in Washington to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
That delegation reportedly included al-Sudani’s foreign affairs adviser Farhad Alaadin and the director-general for external relations in the Prime Minister’s Office, Krikor Bakram Moses.
According to al-Alwani, the U.S. message was clear: Iraq must freeze the PMF law and curb Iranian influence in governance.
Meanwhile, al-Sudani dispatched intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri to Syria again with a message on enhancing security cooperation and intelligence-sharing, offering economic incentives in return — which Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar’ah promised to review.
Al-Alwani stressed that Iraq is under heavy political and diplomatic pressure after receiving warnings from Arab and Western states that Washington has moved into a “maximum alert phase.” If Baghdad does not comply, Western governments may withdraw political cover, impose economic sanctions, and allow Israel to conduct targeted strikes on Iraqi and Iranian military leaders, drone factories, weapons depots, and facilities tied to factions allied with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
One Ummah. One platform. One mission.
Your support keeps it alive.
Click here to Donate & Fund your Islamic Independent Platform
