The government of Iraq will formally declare war on Iran or officially commit its national military forces to direct combat operations against Iran by December 31, 2026.

Iraqi Shiite militias, backed by Iran, have already launched drone attacks against 'enemy bases' in the context of the wider regional conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has targeted Kurdish forces within Iraq, and some Iraqi Kurdish groups are reportedly planning or have launched cross-border operations against Iran, while other Kurdish officials resist pressure to join the conflict. The situation indicates Iraq is at high risk of being drawn into a broader regional conflict, with various non-state actors already involved on different sides.