# Iraq warns militias against joining potential Iran war after reported leak of U.S. invasion plans

*Monday, November 9, 2026 at 8:06 AM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Published**: 2026-11-09T08:06:41.559Z (51m ago)
**Category**: geopolitics | **Region**: Middle East
**Importance**: 8/10
**Sources**: OSINT
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/articles/22954.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/summaries

---

**Deck**: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has warned domestic militias not to join any conflict involving Iran after reports that U.S. war plans once envisioned a ground invasion of southern Iran launched via Iraqi territory, alongside a scenario of Iranian forces entering Kuwait.

Iraq’s leadership is signaling it wants no part in a potential war between the United States and Iran, even as reports circulate that American planners once mapped invasion routes running across Iraqi soil.

According to Iraqi outlet Al-Mada, cited by regional reporting, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi told ruling coalition members he had seen leaked U.S. war plans presented to then‑President Donald Trump. One scenario reportedly involved a U.S. ground invasion of southern Iran using Iraqi territory as the launch point. Another reportedly examined Iranian forces moving into Kuwait in the event of a major confrontation.

Against that backdrop, al‑Zaidi has warned Iraqi militias not to join any conflict involving Iran. His reported comments underline concern in Baghdad that Iraq could again become a primary battlefield between larger powers. The reporting doesn’t specify when the alleged plans were drawn up or whether they remain in effect, but if accurate they suggest Washington considered options that treat Iraq as a corridor for operations against Tehran.

Such scenarios would carry severe risks for Iraqi civilians. Fighting on Iraqi territory could bring rocket, missile, and drone attacks on cities that are still recovering from earlier wars. Armed groups tied to Iran might target U.S. assets, while U.S. forces could move to secure bases and routes across the country, exposing communities along those paths to direct fire or sabotage.

Neighboring states also feature in the reported planning. A U.S. push into southern Iran from Iraq would approach sensitive energy infrastructure along the Gulf. A separate scenario of Iranian units entering Kuwait would threaten another key oil and gas hub. Even without a declared blockade, shipping through the northern Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz could be disrupted as navies, ship owners, and insurers react to missile and drone threats.

Public statements from Washington point to a hard line rather than rapid compromise. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called Iran’s demands “outrageous” and “ridiculous,” said there is “no breakthrough” in talks, and described ongoing negotiations as unproductive. He said the president prefers a negotiated resolution but gave no indication of an imminent deal. In parallel, President Trump is expected to meet the prime minister of Qatar at the White House, with Qatar continuing to mediate between the U.S. and Iran.

For Iraq, this combination of stalled diplomacy and leaked war planning creates pressure from multiple sides. Western partners expect Baghdad to prevent attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities. Iran sees Iraqi territory as strategic depth and, in a crisis, a potential route for its own movements.

Key signals to watch include any U.S. comment on the reported invasion scenarios, reaction from Iranian officials, changes in posture or rhetoric by Iran‑aligned militias inside Iraq, and readouts from Trump’s meeting with Qatar’s leader on the future of U.S.–Iran mediation.