Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria are intensifying diplomatic pressure on Iraq to rein in Iranian-backed militias operating within its borders.
The push comes as these groups continue to use Iraqi territory as a staging ground for attacks against neighboring states, raising fears of broader regional instability.
The diplomatic offensive follows a significant military escalation earlier this week, when the United States and Saudi Arabia conducted coordinated airstrikes against bases of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) across seven provinces.
The strikes killed at least 20 militia members and marked a sharp increase in direct military intervention against Iran-aligned groups in the region.
Analysts note that the convergence of military action and diplomatic pressure signals a unified front among Gulf states and regional partners to contain Iranian influence.
The militias have previously targeted infrastructure and security assets in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria, prompting calls for Baghdad to assert greater control over its sovereign territory.