U.S. officials warn Iraq not to get involved in Israel-Hezbollah conflict

The conversation came as Israeli defense officials have publicly assessed rising threats from Iraq.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

US officials delivered a sharp message in Baghdad over the weekend, cautioning Iraq’s leadership against allowing any involvement by local armed factions in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The warning was delivered by US envoy Tom Barrack during a meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, according to accounts carried by regional outlets.

Sudani’s office said the conversation focused on “preventing any further escalation in the region,” and described Barrack as emphasizing Iraq’s “constructive and essential role” in helping avert a broader crisis.

But media reports in the Arab world pointed to a more pointed component of the visit, with several networks saying Washington relayed concerns about Iranian-backed groups operating in Iraqi territory.

Saudi-owned Al-Hadath television reported that Barrack notified Baghdad of the potential for a “harsh Israeli strike” if factions inside Iraq sought to intervene on behalf of Hezbollah.

The station said he conveyed that Israeli activity in Lebanon would “continue until Hezbollah is disarmed,” framing that message as part of updated guidance from the Trump administration.

Another account, carried by The New Arab through its Arabic-language partner site, said Barrack urged Sudani to block any military or financial assistance to Hezbollah from groups aligned with Iran.

One Iraqi source cited by the outlet claimed the visit’s purpose was to communicate the administration’s positions on Syria and Lebanon, adding that “the Americans don’t want Iraq to interfere in the affairs of Syria or Lebanon, specifically the armed factions allied with Iran.”

The conversation came as Israeli defense officials have publicly assessed rising threats from Iraq. Military sources told local media last month that Iran has been expanding support for groups capable of firing missiles and drones toward Israel, a pattern seen previously during major confrontations with Hamas.

Among the organizations drawing renewed scrutiny are Kataib Hezbollah, which recently freed Israeli citizen Elizabeth Tsurkov, and Harakat al-Nujaba, a militia that has maintained ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon and claimed past rocket launches.

Barrack’s visit unfolded against this backdrop of growing concern about cross-border escalation and the possibility that Iraqi territory could be used to widen the conflict.