Iran-backed Iraqi militias launched three drones at Al-Asad Air Base, threatening to target all U.S. military installations if America supports Israel’s operations against Iran, marking a dangerous escalation that could pull American forces into direct conflict with Tehran’s proxies.
Key Takeaways
- Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched drone attacks on U.S. forces and threatened further strikes if America supports Israel against Iran.
- Kata’ib Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian proxy integrated into Iraq’s military, has explicitly threatened to attack American bases, calling the U.S. the “great Satan.”
- The Trump administration has warned Iran against attacks while deploying additional naval assets to the Mediterranean and evacuating non-essential embassy personnel from Baghdad.
- Previous insufficient responses to proxy attacks resulted in American casualties, including three soldiers killed in Jordan in January 2024.
- Iraqi government officials are attempting to prevent being drawn into the wider conflict while struggling to control militia operations within their borders.
U.S. Forces Under Direct Threat in Iraq
American military personnel stationed in Iraq are facing immediate danger as Iran-backed militias intensify their aggression amid the widening Middle East conflict. Three drones were recently launched at Al-Asad Air Base, a key U.S. installation in Iraq, marking a significant escalation by Tehran’s proxies. These attacks come as President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have issued stern warnings to Iran against targeting American forces. The so-called “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” a coalition of Tehran-controlled militant groups, has made clear its intention to strike U.S. interests throughout the region.
“U.S. forces are under attack in the Middle East,” stated U.S. officials.
Kata’ib Hezbollah’s Escalating Threats
Kata’ib Hezbollah, one of the most dangerous Iranian proxies operating in Iraq, has adopted increasingly hostile rhetoric toward American interests. The group, which is formally integrated into Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) despite being designated a terrorist organization internationally, has not forgotten the 2020 U.S. operation that eliminated their leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, alongside Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Their recent statements reveal an alarming willingness to engage U.S. forces directly if America supports Israel’s operations against Iranian targets.
“Duty requires the Iraqi government, the brothers in the Coordination Framework, and the sincere leaders to bear responsibility and take a courageous stance to prevent the expansion of the war zone, by closing the embassy of the great Satan US, and expelling the American occupation forces from the country,” stated KH.
Ms. Katherine Thompson Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of for International Security Affairs Office of the Secretary of @DeptofDefense, said during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee:
Since Hamas’s brutal assault on Israel on October 7th,… pic.twitter.com/gvxB3j73uU— Basha باشا (@BashaReport) June 11, 2025
U.S. Military Preparations and Response
The Trump administration has taken concrete steps to protect American assets and personnel in the region while preparing for potential escalation. U.S. European Command has deployed additional destroyers to the eastern Mediterranean, and the State Department has begun evacuating non-essential staff from the Baghdad embassy. Military dependents throughout the region have been relocated as a precautionary measure. These prudent actions reflect the administration’s understanding of the genuine threat posed by Iran’s proxy network, which has previously demonstrated both capability and willingness to attack American positions.
“Both President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have warned Tehran not to attack U.S. forces in the region,” reported Cameron McMillan.
Iraq’s Precarious Position
The Iraqi government finds itself in an increasingly difficult position, caught between its relationship with the United States and the powerful Iranian-backed militias operating within its borders. Iraqi officials have reportedly communicated with Iran in an attempt to prevent attacks on U.S. troops stationed in their country, fearing that such actions would draw Iraq directly into the wider regional conflict. This balancing act has become more challenging as PMF-affiliated militias, which previously indicated a willingness to disarm, have now shifted to aggressive anti-American rhetoric and threats of direct military action.
“If America intervenes in the war, we will act without any hesitation against its interests and bases in the region,” threatened KH representatives.
Learning From Past Failures
The current threats against U.S. forces highlight a disturbing pattern that has previously resulted in American casualties. Insufficient responses to provocations by Iran-backed militias culminated in the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan in January 2024. Military analysts warn that only a forceful and decisive response will deter further attacks, as previous half-measures have emboldened rather than restrained these militant groups. The Trump administration faces the challenge of calibrating a response that demonstrates American resolve without triggering uncontrolled regional escalation.
“We declare that all the sites and camps of the entity [Israel] and anyone who supports it in the region are targets for us,” stated Mohammed Al Tamimi.
