هەرێم و ڕۆژهەڵاتی ناوەڕاست
Iraq and the Kurdistan Region at the Center of Escalating Tensions Between the US, Israel, and Iran
By September 30, 2026, the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region has come heavily under the influence of the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other. Iranian officials, including Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claimed that the US and Israel attempted to use Iraqi Kurdistan as a launchpad for military operations against Tehran, while Bafel Talabani assured that the region would not be used as a staging ground. Concurrently, Israeli sources urged Washington to delay its military withdrawal from Iraq.
Furthermore, security tensions and drone strikes have surged across the region. Reports indicate US fighter jets operating in the airspace over Erbil following strikes on Iranian opposition bases. Additionally, after a drone attack targeting a Saudi oil pipeline—which was reportedly launched from within Iraqi territory—Baghdad shut down three border crossings with Iran, further exacerbating cross-border instability.
The deadline of September 30 stands as a primary point of contention. While originally seen as the cutoff date for pro-Iranian armed groups to disarm, Iraqi officials clarified that the date only marks the conclusion of the international coalition's mission, rather than disarmament, which armed groups strongly reject. This leaves Iraq's political and security landscape in an extremely fragile state. [i24NEWS](https://www.i24news.tv)
By September 30, 2026, the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region has come heavily under the influence of the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other. Iranian officials, including Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claimed that the US and Israel attempted to use Iraqi Kurdistan as a launchpad for military operations against Tehran, while Bafel Talabani assured that the region would not be used as a staging ground. Concurrently, Israeli sources urged Washington to delay its military withdrawal from Iraq.
Furthermore, security tensions and drone strikes have surged across the region. Reports indicate US fighter jets operating in the airspace over Erbil following strikes on Iranian opposition bases. Additionally, after a drone attack targeting a Saudi oil pipeline—which was reportedly launched from within Iraqi territory—Baghdad shut down three border crossings with Iran, further exacerbating cross-border instability.
The deadline of September 30 stands as a primary point of contention. While originally seen as the cutoff date for pro-Iranian armed groups to disarm, Iraqi officials clarified that the date only marks the conclusion of the international coalition's mission, rather than disarmament, which armed groups strongly reject. This leaves Iraq's political and security landscape in an extremely fragile state. [i24NEWS](https://www.i24news.tv)