Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataeb Hezbollah threatened Sunday to strike U.S. military bases and interests across the region if Washington intervenes in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
In a statement, Kataeb Hezbollah leader Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi warned that any direct U.S. military involvement in support of Israel would trigger a swift and forceful response. He also demanded the immediate closure of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and urged the Iraqi government to prevent any use of Iraqi territory or airspace for attacks on Iran.
“We are closely monitoring the movements of the American enemy’s army in the region,” al-Hamidawi said. “If America intervenes in the war, we will act directly against its interests and bases without hesitation.”
The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions following Israel’s large-scale aerial assault on Iranian soil. Tehran has accused Washington of complicity in the attacks. On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Baghdad to block the U.S. from launching strikes from Iraqi territory.
Though Iraq maintains close ties with both the U.S. and Iran, the Iraqi government reiterated its opposition to any violation of its sovereignty. In a statement late Saturday, Baghdad condemned the use of Iraqi airspace by Israeli aircraft and reaffirmed its rejection of any attacks launched from its territory.
Washington currently maintains around 2,500 troops in Iraq as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State group.
Kataeb Hezbollah’s threats add to growing pressure from Iran-aligned groups, while other powerful factions such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah have yet to escalate their involvement. The latest round of Israeli airstrikes on Iran reportedly killed at least 128 people, while Iran’s missile response has killed 13 people in Israel, according to official counts.
