Iran's Revolutionary Guards set up covert Iraqi cells to attack Gulf neighbors, sources say

What Happened

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has established three or four covert cells in Iraq, each comprising about 10 elite Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim fighters, to conduct drone attacks on U.S.-hosting Gulf states, according to eight Iraqi sources including military officials and militia commanders. The cells, operating under direct IRGC command and bypassing established militia networks, launched at least seven drone attacks from desert locations near Basra and Samawa between April 20 and May 17 against sites in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Targets included Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base and a military terminal at its international airport; attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia and the UAE were intercepted. The shift reflects IRGC adaptation to preserve force projection as its traditional proxy networks weaken under U.S. pressure and economic strain, and as major Iraqi Shi'ite factions signal readiness to disarm. The cells draw some members from the Islamic Resistance in Iraq umbrella group but operate outside its command, giving Iran plausible deniability.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The IRGC's creation of compact, directly controlled cells signals a tactical shift to sustain Iran's regional strike capability while its larger proxy network erodes under U.S. military pressure and internal Iraqi disarmament moves. The attacks target U.S. assets in Gulf states, heightening risks of escalation just as an interim U.S.-Iran deal pauses direct hostilities but explicitly excludes proxy activity. The operation tests Iraq's sovereignty and Prime Minister al-Zaidi's pledge to dismantle non-state armed groups, placing Baghdad between Washington's demands and Tehran's covert maneuvers.

Watch For

Monitor whether Iraqi security forces uncover and dismantle the cells, and whether further drone attacks emerge from southern Iraq. Watch U.S. and Gulf responses, including potential strikes or diplomatic pressure on Baghdad. The interim U.S.-Iran deal's implementation and any negotiations that address proxy networks will be critical. Also, verify Reuters' accounts through independent confirmation of the reported attacks and cell structures.