Iran welcomes exit of US forces from Iraq, calls for Washington to be held accountable

What Happened

Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement on its Telegram channel on Saturday congratulating the Iraqi government and people on the withdrawal of US and other foreign forces from Iraq. The ministry described the withdrawal as “a very important and necessary step” toward consolidating Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. It accused the US of causing “irreparable consequences” for Iraq and the region since the 2003 invasion, which it said was launched under the false pretext of “weapons of mass destruction,” and called for the US government to be held accountable for crimes committed during the occupation. The article does not provide independent confirmation of the withdrawal or specify the number of forces involved.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Iran’s statement frames the US withdrawal as a victory for Iraqi sovereignty and a validation of Iran’s long-standing demand that American forces leave the region. It reinforces Tehran’s narrative of the US as an occupying power and positions Iran as an ally of Iraqi independence, potentially strengthening Iranian influence in Iraq as the US military footprint shrinks.

Watch For

Monitor whether the Iraqi government confirms the withdrawal and its timeline, the US government’s response to Iran’s accountability demand, and any subsequent security agreements or redeployments involving US forces or Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. Also watch for IAEA or regional developments that could shift Iran's posture.