The US State Department demands that Iraq dismantle the militias and threatens "serious consequences" for their supporters
4/17/2026
The US State Department on Friday evening called on the Iraqi government to dismantle armed factions allied with Iran, threatening their supporters with "serious consequences," following the imposition of sanctions on seven of their leaders.
The US State Department said in a statement: "We affirm our support for a stable, prosperous and sovereign Iraq, but at the same time we call on it to prevent its territory from being used to launch activities that destabilize the region."
The US State Department called on Iraqi authorities to "dismantle the groups allied with Iran," noting that these groups "threaten the lives of Americans as they have planned and attacked American individuals and interests in Iraq, and they undermine the country's sovereignty."
She noted, "We are taking decisive action to hold Iraqi groups allied with Iran accountable," and warned that "those who support militia violence in Iraq will face dire consequences."
Earlier today, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced it had added seven Iraqi faction leaders to its sanctions list, holding them responsible for planning, directing, and carrying out attacks against U.S. personnel, facilities, and interests in Iraq.
The sanctions, according to the statement, included: leaders in Kataib Hezbollah Radwan Youssef Hamid Al-Mohammad, Hassan Dhiab and Ammar Jassim Kazem Al-Ramahi, leaders in Kataib Sayyid Al-Shuhada Khalid Jamil and Saeed Kazem, leader in Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Safaa Adnan Jabbar Suwaid, and leader in Harakat Al-Nujaba Hisham Hashem. LINK
Sudani: Iraq is no longer a battleground... a new partnership with Washington and billions of dollars in investment
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani published an article in the American magazine Newsweek on April 17, in which he reviewed the most prominent features of the political and economic stage in Iraq, and the government’s vision to enhance internal stability and redefine international relations, especially with the United States.
Al-Sudani stressed that the election result represented a popular mandate for a difficult but necessary path to maintain Iraq’s stability in light of a very dangerous regional phase, and to build stronger institutional foundations and long-term economic renewal.
He noted that over the past two and a half years, and during three waves of regional escalation, his government had managed to keep Iraq out of the war, protect international personnel on its territory, and maintain the cohesion of the state.
He explained that the government brought companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and GE Vernova back to Iraq through new commitments in the energy sector worth billions of dollars, in addition to attracting more than $100 billion in investments.
He explained that the current moment is the most appropriate to redefine Iraq’s relationship with the United States, noting that Iraq has always been viewed in Washington through the lens of crises, war and terrorism, while today it is a country that has proven its ability to withstand enormous pressure.
Al-Sudani spoke about the challenges his government has faced since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, stressing that the goal was to prevent Iraq from being dragged into a conflict that was not of its choice, despite increasing pressure and escalation from multiple parties.
Economic Forecasting Service
He added that the government has acted through direct engagement, issuing security directives and continuous political management to prevent Iraqi territory from becoming an open arena for regional war, while maintaining a firm objective of containing escalation and protecting stability.
He stressed that this position represents an exercise of sovereignty, noting that Iraq is more aware than others of the cost of becoming an arena for settling scores between others.
On the security front, he pointed out that the Popular Mobilization Forces were formed in response to the threat of ISIS, and that the government strengthened oversight and directed resources through official institutions, while refusing to turn exceptional arrangements into permanent alternatives to the state.
On the economic front, he affirmed that Iraq has rebuilt its economic position, with the return of major companies to develop oil fields and energy projects, in addition to the implementation of strategic projects such as the Total Energies and Qatar Energy project in Basra.
He stressed that Iraq has become more competitive and more attractive for investment, thanks to improved contractual terms, restored confidence, and the creation of a favorable environment for long-term investment.
He explained that Iraq possesses the fifth largest oil reserves in the world and is located in an important strategic location, which calls for dealing with it as a strategic opportunity in American policy.
He also stressed that Iraq’s partnerships will remain diverse, with continued cooperation with China alongside the United States, Europe, Turkey and the Gulf States, noting that Iraq’s geographical location and balanced relationships represent a strategic strength.
He touched on the development road project, which will make Iraq an important trade corridor and a bridge for trade, energy and diplomacy, instead of being an arena for conflict.
Al-Sudani called on the United States to adopt a more mature strategic framework towards Iraq, especially in the economic field, while protecting and encouraging American investments.
He also stressed the importance of developing the security sector, enhancing intelligence cooperation, and combating terrorism, in order to support the state’s long-term capabilities.
He concluded by emphasizing that Iraq is working to strengthen its institutions, diversify its economy, and resolve the relationship between the state and armed groups in favor of the state, noting that what Iraq is proposing is based on partnership, interests, and mutual respect, and that the opportunity is available to build a more stable and interconnected future in the region. link
I feel rapid movement in places like Reno at Tier 3 level.
The gold plane I saw is empty, and someone received documents and left home.
The planes are still parked in Reno.
Something is happening in London.
I see the President of Venezuela receiving gold keys.
The gold in Mexico’s vault is gone. It has been moved south toward Venezuela. It is what the cartels stole from mines in Venezuela, confiscated by the U.S. and returned to Venezuela.
Money is moving into position for when 4B is activated.
Iraq is moving slowly. They have a couple of days left to place people into political positions. Half of the people have already been selected. They have a deadline to complete this, and I believe it is Sunday, our time.
I believe the Med Bed project has been funded and notified to begin purchasing and renovating centers. Funded at another level.
Siento un movimiento rápido en lugares como Reno para el nivel tres.
El avión de oro que vi está vacío y alguien recibió documentos y se fue a casa.
Los aviones siguen estacionados en Reno.
Algo está sucediendo en Londres.
Veo al presidente de Venezuela recibiendo llaves de oro.
El oro en la bóveda de México ya no está. Ha sido trasladado al sur hacia Venezuela. Es lo que los carteles robaron de las minas en Venezuela. Confiscado por los EE. UU. y devuelto a Venezuela.
El dinero se está moviendo a su lugar para cuando se active el 4b.
Irak es lento. Les quedan un par de días para colocar personas en cargos políticos. La mitad de las personas ya han sido elegidas. Tienen un plazo límite para completar esto y creo que es el domingo, hora nuestra.
Creo que el proyecto Med Bed ha sido financiado y notificado para comenzar a comprar y renovar centros. Financiado en otro nivel.
Maliki and Sudani resort to the 8/12 formula to resolve the prime ministerial candidate crisis
Maliki and Sudani resort to the 8/12 formula to resolve the prime ministerial candidate crisis.
A source within the Coordination Framework revealed the nature of the initial understandings reached regarding the selection of the next prime minister, explaining that the candidate who secures two-thirds of the votes from the Framework's leaders will win the position. This requires time to finalize this preliminary agreement.
This comes against the backdrop of understandings reached among the Framework's leaders regarding the premiership, which led to the postponement of a crucial meeting until next Saturday.
A source close to the Framework stated that "the Framework's leaders agreed to postpone the meeting, which was supposed to be held Wednesday evening, until Saturday, after reaching important understandings." The source
added that "the new understandings require more time to decide on the prime ministership."
Regarding the nature of these understandings, the source revealed that "the initial understandings between the Framework's most prominent candidates, Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, which prompted the postponement of the meeting, stipulate that whoever obtains the support of 8 out of 12 leaders from the Shia political bloc will proceed unanimously once the remaining two-thirds are automatically joined, thus securing the premiership." link