The United States is increasing pressure on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq in an effort to push Baghdad toward appointing a new prime minister who may be willing to curb their power. Over the past decade, these militias have launched repeated attacks on American forces and diplomatic facilities, escalating their operations during recent regional tensions and carrying out hundreds of strikes across the Middle East.

Many of the militias have deep historical roots and longstanding ties to Tehran. Some emerged in the 1980s, while others expanded significantly during the fight against the Islamic State after a religious decree encouraged mass recruitment. These fighters were organized under the Popular Mobilization Forces, a state-backed umbrella grouping that later became formally integrated into Iraq’s security structure, receiving salaries and controlling bases and checkpoints.

In recent years, militia attacks have grown more sophisticated, shifting from rockets and mortars to drone strikes. Some groups have also been involved in high-profile kidnappings of foreign nationals. Washington now sees Iraq’s ongoing political crisis and the selection of a new prime minister as a potential opportunity to pressure Baghdad into limiting militia influence, particularly as regional anger toward these groups increases.

However, curbing the militias will be difficult. They are deeply embedded within Iraq’s political and security institutions, and Iran views Iraq as central to its regional strategy. Previous efforts to weaken similar armed groups elsewhere in the region have struggled, underscoring the scale of the challenge ahead.