According to the Arab Times Kuwait, influential Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has issued a formal warning to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding the escalation of military activities within Iraqi territory. The statement, released on July 29, calls for a de-escalation of hostilities and urges various Iraqi militia groups to refrain from becoming embroiled in the broader regional conflict between Iran and the United States.
Al-Sadr’s intervention comes at a time of heightened instability in the Middle East, as regional powers navigate the fallout of renewed military strikes. The cleric, who maintains a significant political and social following in Iraq, emphasized the necessity of preserving Iraqi sovereignty and preventing the country from being used as a staging ground for external military operations. His call for restraint is seen as an attempt to insulate Iraq from the direct consequences of the ongoing US-Iran tensions.
While the IRGC has been actively involved in regional operations, the involvement of Iraqi-based factions remains a point of intense diplomatic concern. Al-Sadr’s directive to local militias highlights the internal pressure within Iraq to maintain a neutral stance despite the presence of various armed groups with varying degrees of alignment to Tehran. As of now, there has been no official response from the IRGC regarding the cleric's public warning.
The story is reported by an established regional outlet and aligns with the broader context of regional tensions involving Iran and Iraq. While not explicitly corroborated by the provided international wires, the report is internally consistent with the ongoing geopolitical situation in the region.
No corroborating trusted sources found.
Original report: Arab Times Kuwait