‘Loyalty campaign’: Iraqi armed groups in Iran as US talks of ground war

Fighters from a major Iraqi pro-Iran armed group have traveled to Iran, delivering aid in what appears to be a show of support for Tehran at a time when the Trump administration is discussing potential ground operations in the region. The move reflects deepening coordination between Iraqi militant factions and Iran amid heightened regional tensions. Pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq have long served as Tehran's proxy force in the Middle East, and their mobilization signals potential escalation if US military intervention expands beyond current air operations. The deployment underscores how Iraq's armed factions, some integrated into the official security forces, maintain loyalty to Iranian interests despite Iraq's nominal sovereignty. This development could complicate US strategy in Iraq, where Washington relies on Iraqi government cooperation to counter ISIS while managing the influence of Iran-backed militias.