Former Shiite Iraqi militia leader Aws Al-Khafaji criticized Iran in a March 16, 2025 interview with Al-Sharqiya TV (Iraq). He dismissed the concept of the “Resistance Axis,” questioning Iran’s connection to resistance. 

Al-Khafaji argued that Iran has not sacrificed martyrs for Palestine, unlike Iraqis who fought for Palestine and are buried in Hebron. He accused Iran of only acknowledging Iraqis as Shiites when it serves its interests. Al-Khafaji further stated that Iraq acted as a "dam," preventing ISIS from threatening Iran and the Gulf, thereby saving Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. 

He pointed out that while Iran claims to have saved Iraq, only 100 Iranian "advisers" were killed in Iraq compared to 22,000 Iraqi casualties. When asked whether he would support Iran in the event of an American attack, he stated that he would do what he could to support Muslims against the infidels.