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Iraq

Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (March 30—April 15, 2026)

Qods Force commander Esmail Qaani praised the involvement of the “Resistance Axis” in the campaign alongside Iran, noting that they waged a “heroic war”; Until the ceasefire in Iran on April 8, 2026, the Houthis claimed responsibility for four attacks against Israel using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. It was reported that three ballistic missiles were either intercepted or fell in open areas, and one drone was intercepted; The pro-Iranian militias in Iraq continued their attacks using rockets, missiles, and drones against US bases and facilities in Iraq, the Gulf states, and Jordan until the ceasefire. The militias announced that at least eighty commanders and operatives were killed in strikes attributed to the United States against Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases in Iraq during the campaign; Senior Iranian officials strongly condemned the IDF strikes in Lebanon following the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, claiming they violated the understandings reached with the United States. The IRGC and “Resistance Axis” militias warned that continued strikes would lead to a harsh response on their part; The Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, sent a message to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, emphasizing Iran’s support for the “resistance against the Zionist and American enemy.” The Iranian Supreme Leader’s advisor warned the Lebanese Prime Minister that ignoring the role of the “resistance” would expose Lebanon to “irreversible security risks”.
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Spotlight on Terrorism – March 2026

During March 2026, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumed in the wake of the American-Israeli war against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. The Houthis also renewed their attacks on Israel. The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip continued, while Hamas increased its governance in the areas under its control; Three terrorist attacks were carried out, killing one Israeli civilian, Israeli security forces continued extensive counterterrorism measures in Judea and Samaria.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (March 25-30, 2026)

The Majles speaker praised the participation of components of the “Axis of Resistance,” led by Hezbollah, in the campaign between Iran, the United States, and Israel; The Houthis joined the campaign alongside Iran, claiming responsibility for two attacks against targets in southern Israel using missiles and drones, for the first time since halting their activity following the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in October 2025. A ballistic missile, a cruise missile, and a drone were reportedly launched. The IDF Spokesperson announced the interception of two drones; Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq continued attacks using missiles, rockets, and drones against American bases and facilities in Iraq, the Gulf states, and Jordan, at the same time with continued attacks attributed to the United States against Popular Mobilization bases in Iraq; The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman made clear that Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon would remain in Beirut and continue his duties, despite the Lebanese Foreign Ministry's deadline for his departure; The Iranian foreign minister spoke with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and discussed developments in the war in Iran and Lebanon; Amid activity by Iraqi militias alongside Iran, the Iranian president spoke with his Iraqi counterpart and condemned US and Israeli attacks on Iraqi targets.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (March 18-25, 2026)

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared Iran’s ambassador in Beirut persona non grata and demanded that he leave Lebanon, while clarifying that this does not constitute a severance of relations between the two countries. Hezbollah condemned the decision, calling it a “sin” contrary to Lebanon’s interests; It was reported that approximately one hundred IRGC officers arrived in Lebanon following the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, with the aim of restoring Hezbollah’s capabilities. They reportedly assumed direct command of the organization’s military wing in order to prepare it for the current campaign against Israel; Qods Force commander Esmail Qaani, who had not been seen since the beginning of the campaign in Iran, stressed in his first statement the importance of the “Resistance Front” in the campaign against the United States and Israel and warned of additional surprises from Iran’s regional proxies; Senior Houthi officials continued to express support for Iran and emphasized their readiness to join the campaign, though without committing to timing; Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq continued attacks using missiles, rockets, and drones against US bases and facilities in Iraq, Jordan, and Gulf states, concurrently with continued attacks attributed to the United States against bases of the Popular Mobilization Forces and the targeting of militia leaders.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (March 11-18, 2026)

As part of the military campaign in Lebanon, the IDF eliminated senior operatives acting on behalf of the IRGC. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry protested to Iran over the joint attacks with Hezbollah against Israel and denied that the four Qods Force operatives killed in an Israeli strike were diplomats; The Houthis have continued to emphasize that they are monitoring developments in the campaign involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, but have not yet intervened in the fighting; Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq continued attacks using missiles and drones against American bases and facilities in Iraq, Jordan, and the Gulf states. The military spokesman for Kata’ib Hezbollah was eliminated; In his first message, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, emphasized Iran’s support for the “Resistance Front” and declared it an integral part of the values of the Islamic Revolution; “World Jerusalem Day” rallies were held across Iran despite the military campaign. Senior Iranian officials used the events to stress Iran’s commitment to the Palestinian cause and the destruction of the State of Israel.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (March 4-11, 2026)

The IDF continued its strikes in Iran and Lebanon against operatives and infrastructure of the IRGC Qods Force that supported the financing and military buildup of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating against Israel. Iran claimed that four Qods Force operatives killed in Beirut were diplomats; Due to IDF threats, it was reported that dozens of IRGC operatives had left Lebanon. However, according to Iran’s ambassador in Beirut, the diplomatic mission is operating normally, and only the families of diplomats and “a group of Iranians residing in Lebanon” left the city; The Houthis have not yet intervened in the confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, but the movement’s leader said they are ready to act depending on developments in the region; Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq claimed responsibility for about one hundred attacks using missiles, rockets, and drones against American bases and facilities in Iraq, Jordan, and Gulf countries. A spokesman for one militia claimed that there is full coordination among all components of the Axis of Resistance in the Middle East regarding the operation of forces against Israel and the United States; It was reported that some militias fear continued attacks could lead to a broad American response against them.
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Iraq

The Republic of Iraq (الجمهورية العراقية – Al-Jumhūrīyya Al-‘Irāqīyya) borders with Turkey in the north, Syria and Jordan in the west, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the south, and Iran in the east. Iraq has a population of over 31 million, the vast majority of whom are Arabs (97% Muslim, 65% Shiite and 35% Sunni). In northeastern Iraq there is an autonomous Kurdish entity known as Iraqi Kurdistan. There are no relations between the State of Israel and Iraq, and Iraq refuses to recognize Israel.

After the Iraq war, the country was run by a coalition of countries that had invaded Iraq, headed by the United States. In 2005, civilian control was transferred to the interim Iraqi government that was appointed after a general election for a temporary parliament, which was held for the first time in the history of Iraq. In 2006, a permanent Shiite government was formed, and thus a change of government took place in Iraq, which had been in the hands of the Sunnis up to that time. In December 2011, the last American soldiers stationed in Iraq left the country.

After the fall of Saddam Hussein, a branch of Al-Qaeda was established in Iraq, headed by Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqawi. This branch later evolved into ISIS. This branch, which enjoyed widespread support among the Sunni population in Iraq, carried out terrorist attacks directed against Shiite civilians and against the Iraqi regime. In 2014, in the city of Mosul, ISIS declared the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate and took control of vast areas in western and northwestern Iraq, with the intention of taking control of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as well. In the years that followed, through efforts by the Iraqi security forces and local militias supported by the United States, these areas were liberated and ISIS slowly began to lose its power.