According to the report, Iraqi authorities have launched a broad wave of arrests targeting dozens of parliament members, senior officials and public figures. Senior security sources believe the operation could become one of the most significant developments in Iraq since the defeat of ISIS.

The timing is critical. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to visit Washington in mid-July, where the US is reportedly demanding answers on three central issues: dismantling pro-Iranian militias, restoring the state’s monopoly over weapons, continuing the fight against corruption, and expanding the US-Iraq strategic partnership, especially in energy and investment.

For Washington, Iraq is no longer just a partner — it is a battlefield in the wider campaign against Iran. For years, Tehran used Iraq as its backyard and economic breathing space under sanctions. If the US wants to tighten pressure on the Iranian regime, Iraq is one of the most important arenas.