Sourced fact
The News
According to France 24, US President Donald Trump confirmed on Fox News that the United States and Saudi Arabia conducted strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, and that Iraq condemned these attacks, considering them a "blatant violation" and cancelled a meeting with Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
From an analytical perspective, this development emerges within the context of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which is one of the most prominent geopolitical axes in the Middle East. The complex historical relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States, as well as Riyadh's support for extremist groups loyal to Iran in Iraq, pose a significant challenge to international mediation efforts aimed at ending this conflict. The Iranian-Iraqi conflict has deep roots linked to external interventions in Iraqi affairs since World War I, up to Iran’s support for Shia militias which are considered a threat to regional stability and increase tensions with other powers.
Furthermore, this American stance reflects an attempt to reassess relations with Iraq, a country located at the intersection of the interests of several regional and global actors, making its stability a primary objective for many stakeholders. It is also important to note that this potential escalation increases pressure on the United States to offer a real solution to the conflict with Iran, which has not achieved significant progress so far.
