In recent days the United States designated several such militias in Iraq as terrorist organizations, a move that, according to the report, raised fears the listings might pave the way for military action.

Participants reportedly expressed readiness to continue “jihad activities,” using the excuse of the "intense fighting in Gaza and in southern Lebanon. "

The paper said the groups nevertheless prefer that the government in Baghdad take the lead and handle the matter politically for now. A senior official in the Shiite Coordination Framework told the newspaper the meetings considered how to respond to Washington’s decision and acknowledged that Israeli strikes remain a possibility, perhaps after some delay.