US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

Yuraj Tyagi – Times Now News Nov 3, 2025

Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbasi has disclosed that US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directly warned Baghdad of imminent military operations in the region, urging Iraq to restrain pro-Iranian militias operating within its borders.

Speaking in a televised interview late Saturday, al-Abbasi said the phone call, made via the US chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, marked the clearest warning yet from the White House since renewed tensions with Tehran and its regional allies.

“Hegseth told us clearly that operations are coming and that we must ensure no faction in Iraq interferes,” al-Abbasi said. “He concluded the call with, ‘This is your final notice — and you know very well how this administration will respond.’”

Warning Follows Days After US Reassurances to Baghdad

The revelation came just two days after a White House message conveyed assurances about the stability of US–Iraq relations. Yet, the tone of Hegseth’s conversation with al-Abbasi sharply contrasted with the diplomatic overtures.

According to al-Abbasi, the 11-minute call included Iraq’s top military brass, the Chief of Staff, Deputy Joint Operations Commander, and Director of Military Intelligence, and covered a range of topics from drone cooperation and a security memorandum to the delivery of Bell helicopters.

However, the call’s closing remarks have unsettled Baghdad’s political circles, especially Shiite factions aligned with Iran. The Shiite Coordination Framework, already divided ahead of Iraq’s sixth parliamentary elections since the 2003 US-led invasion, now faces growing pressure amid US warnings and speculation of upcoming strikes near Iraq’s western border.

“This message was a turning point,” said a senior Iraqi military source, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat. “It was not just a routine consultation, it was an ultimatum.”

Analysts: US May Be Preparing Regional Operations

Political experts view the conversation as part of a broader strategic recalibration by Washington, signalling an intent to strike Iranian-linked factions across the Levant.

Dr Ihsan al-Shammari, head of the Iraqi Centre for Political Thought, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US administration’s approach appears to be shifting from diplomatic restraint to a “formal state framework” that could soon translate into military action.

“The Secretary of War’s message reflects a new phase, either these groups align with the state and disarm, or they face confrontation,” al-Shammari said. “The warning is explicit, and it is backed by operational intent.”

He noted that remarks by both US envoy Mark Savaya and Hegseth “lay out a roadmap” for the next Iraqi government, effectively forcing Baghdad to choose between sovereignty or alignment with Iranian interests.

Regional Context: Signals of US–Iran Confrontation

Strategist Mukhlid Hazem suggested the warning could precede coordinated air operations targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard–backed militias across Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.

“The US escalation is unmistakable,” Hazem said. “Military arrangements are under way, perhaps joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian assets. It is no longer theoretical.”

He added that similar warnings had been issued earlier by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Savaya, further reinforcing the perception that Washington’s patience has run out with Tehran’s proxies.

Political analyst Dr Abbas Abboud Salem echoed that sentiment, saying the timing of the message — just before Iraq’s elections, was deliberate.

“The US does not want to see Iran-backed factions gain political ground during the elections,” he said. “The threat serves as a reminder that Washington’s priority remains the containment of Iranian influence, not partnership with Baghdad.”

Muhandis Controversy Deepens Washington–Baghdad Strain

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Ministry of Communications has pushed back against reports claiming it had contracted the Muhandis Company, affiliated with the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) — groups long sanctioned by Washington for alleged links to the IRGC and Hezbollah Brigades.

The ministry clarified that Muhandis is a government-owned entity eligible to compete for contracts under Iraqi law and that its current fibre-optic maintenance project adhered to Government Contract Execution Instructions No. 2.

However, the issue has aggravated tensions. On October 9, the US Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on Iraqi financial and commercial figures accused of laundering funds for armed factions, including Muhandis, described as the economic arm of the PMF.

Washington said the sanctions were aimed at dismantling networks enabling armed groups to operate inside and outside Iraq, effectively constraining Iran’s regional footprint.

Uncertain Road Ahead

As Iraq moves towards national elections, the diplomatic chill is likely to deepen. Hegseth’s “final notice” is being interpreted in Baghdad as both a warning and a signal — that US tolerance for Tehran’s proxies has expired.

“It’s a dangerous balancing act,” al-Shammari warned. “Baghdad must navigate between American demands and Iranian leverage without collapsing either relationship. For now, one misstep could trigger a military escalation that neither side truly wants.”

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