Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present)

{{See also|Coalition Provisional Authority Order 2|2003 invasion of Iraq|Iranian involvement in the Iraq War}}

After the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies, The Coalition Provisional Authority disbanded the Iraqi military, security, and intelligence infrastructure of President Saddam Hussein and began a process of "de-Ba'athification".{{Cite web|title=Slate's Use of Your Data|url=https://slate.com/gdpr|access-date=2022-02-10|website=Slate Magazine|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Coaliton provisional authority order number 1 |url=http://www.cpa-iraq.org/regulations/20030516_CPAORD_1_De-Ba_athification_of_Iraqi_Society_.pdf |access-date=2022-02-10 |website=cpa-iraq.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509145453/http://www.cpa-iraq.org/regulations/20030516_CPAORD_1_De-Ba_athification_of_Iraqi_Society_.pdf |archive-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead}} This move became an object of controversy, cited by some critics as the biggest American mistake made in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Saddam Hussein{{cite news|last=Kaplan|first=Fred|date=7 September 2007|title=Who Disbanded the Iraqi Army?|publisher=Slate|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2173554/|accessdate=2008-12-09}} and as one of the main causes of the rise of the Islamic State.{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Michael R.|date=17 March 2008|title=Fateful Choice on Iraq Army Bypassed Debate|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/world/middleeast/17bremer.html?fta=y|accessdate=2008-12-09}}

The Badr organisation, which fought alongside Iran in the Iran-Iraq war, was seen as a U.S. asset in the fight against Ba'athist partisans because of their opposition to Saddam Hussein. Shortly after the fall of Baghdad, Badr forces and other militias with close ties to Tehran reportedly joined the newly reconstituted army, police, and Interior Ministry in significant numbers. The Interior Ministry was controlled by SCIRI, and many Badr members became part of the Interior Ministry-run Wolf Brigade. The Iraqi Interior Minister, Bayan Jabr, was a former leader of the Badr Brigade militia.

The Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq and various other parties with military wings, all with close ties with Tehran, had pioneering role in forming the governments with close ties to Tehran.

According to the U.S. military and U.S. State Department, the Iraqi Shia militia Kata'ib Hezbollah ("Hezbollah Brigades"), which has existed since 2003, has received funding, training, logistics, guidance, and material support from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's Quds Force. Iran denies these claims.{{cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/07/coalition_forces_cap.php|title= Coalition forces capture Hezbollah Brigades operative in Baghdad|last1=Roggio |first1=Bill |date= 31 July 2008|website=Long War Journal |access-date=10 April 2015}}

Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq ("League of the Righteous"), another Iraqi Shia militia, formed in 2006, was assumed by Iraqi officials to have been receiving $2 million a month from Iran even before 2014, and assumed by The Guardian to be under the patronage of Qasem Soleimani.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/12/iraq-battle-dead-valley-peace-syria Controlled by Iran, the deadly militia recruiting Iraq's men to die in Syria]. The Guardian, 12 March 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2015

In 2019, protests broke out in Iraq demanding the end of corruption, nepotism, unemployment, and political sectarianism while also calling for an end to Iranian intervention in Iraqi affairs.{{Cite news|last=Rubin|first=Alissa J.|date=2019-11-04|title=Iraqis Rise Against a Reviled Occupier: Iran|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/world/middleeast/iraq-protests-iran.html|access-date=2022-02-10|issn=0362-4331}} The Abdul-Mehdi government, backed by Iranian-backed militias used live bullets, marksmen, hot water, hot pepper gas, and tear gas against protesters, leading to many deaths and injuries.{{Cite web|title=Iraq: HRW denounces lethal force against protesters, urges probe|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/iraq-hrw-denounces-lethal-force-protesters-urges-probe-191010123643525.html|website=www.aljazeera.com}}{{Cite news|last=Arraf|first=Jane|date=2021-09-18|title='There Is Chaos': Iran-Backed Militias Battle Activists in a Holy Iraqi City|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/18/world/middleeast/iraq-karbala-iran-militias.html|access-date=2021-10-18|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|date=2019-10-17|title=Exclusive: Iran-backed militias deployed snipers in Iraq protests – sources|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-protests-iran-snipers-exclusive-idUSKBN1WW0B1|access-date=2021-10-18}}{{Cite web|date=2019-12-05|title=Pro-Iran militia supporters converge on Baghdad protests|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/05/pro-iran-militia-supporters-converge-on-baghdad-protests|access-date=2021-10-18|website=the Guardian|language=en}}

The protests resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi and his government, and the appointment of Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. A new election law was also passed by the Council of Representatives.

The 2021 parliamentary election resulted in Pro-Iran parties losing seats in the newly elected Iraqi parliament and in turn led to 2021 Baghdad clashes.{{Cite news|last=Arab|first=The New|title=Iraqi militias and PM Abadi to contest general election separately|language=en|work=alaraby|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/1/15/iraqi-militias-and-pm-abadi-to-contest-election-separately|access-date=17 January 2018}}{{cite web|date=14 January 2018|title=IRAQI PM SIGNS ELECTORAL PACT WITH SHIA-LED COALITION FOR MAY ELECTIONS|url=http://www.nrttv.com/en/Details.aspx?Jimare=18238|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001820/http://www.nrttv.com/en/Details.aspx?Jimare=18238|archive-date=15 January 2018|access-date=14 January 2018|website=nrttv}}{{Cite news|title=Backers of Iran-linked militias try to storm Baghdad's Green Zone after election losses|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-backed-militias-clash-baghdad/2021/11/05/30e15cf2-3e3b-11ec-bd6f-da376f47304e_story.html|access-date=6 November 2021|issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news|date=2021-11-08|title=Iran-backed militia staged drone attack on Iraqi PM – officials|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-backed-militia-behind-attack-iraqi-pm-sources-2021-11-08/|access-date=2021-11-08}}

In November 2021, Al-Kadhimi survived an assassination attempt via an explosive drone, two drones were shot down by the army while the last one targeted his residence in the heavily fortified Green Zone district of Baghdad.{{Cite news|date=2021-11-08|title=Iran-backed militia staged drone attack on Iraqi PM – officials|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-backed-militia-behind-attack-iraqi-pm-sources-2021-11-08/|access-date=2021-11-10}}

According to experts, the assassination attempt came as a response to pro-Iran parties losing seats in the 2021 Iraqi parliamentary election.{{Cite news|date=2021-11-07|title=Iraqi PM al-Kadhimi survives drone attack on his home|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59195399|access-date=2021-11-10}}

File:Iran Iraq Locator.svg

File:Iraqi army 03 2011.jpg training under the supervision of soldiers of the US 82nd Airborne, 2011.]]

Tehran's strategic objectives in its intervention in Iraq include keeping the Shia-led government in power and stabilising its border.{{cite news|last=Mohsen|first=Milani|date=22 June 2014|title=Tehran Doubles Down|url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/141586/mohsen-milani/tehran-doubles-down|newspaper=Foreign Affairs|access-date=1 October 2014}}

Iran has attempted to limit its overt military involvement in Iraq as a strategy geared toward avoiding the polarisation of Iraq's Sunni minority, creating a popular backlash against Iran among Iraqis, or deepening sectarian tensions.{{cite web|url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/iranians-are-terrified-irans-isis-nightmare-10856|title="Iranians are Terrified": Iran's ISIS Nightmare|last1=Esfandiary |first1=Dina|date=11 July 2014|website=The National Interest|access-date=1 October 2014}} The IRGC also attempted to create a more diversified model in Iraq, and began interacting more with Iraqi Turkmen and Feyli Kurds.{{Cite web |title=Back into the Shadows? The Future of Kata'ib Hezbollah and Iran's Other Proxies in Iraq |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/back-shadows-future-kataib-hezbollah-and-irans-other-proxies-iraq |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=The Washington Institute |language=en}} Most Iranian aid has thus far come in the form of technical assistance, the commitment of special forces troops, and air support. Iranian Brigadier-General Massoud Jazayeri stated that Iran could best help Iraq by providing it with direction on its "successful experiments in popular all-around defence" that included "mobilising masses of all ethnic groups."{{cite news|date=22 June 2014|title=Iraq crisis: Iran pledges military help against ISIL as battle for Tikrit escalates |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/10933934/Iraq-crisis-Iran-pledges-military-help-against-Isis-as-battle-for-Tikrit-escalates.html|newspaper=Daily Telegraph |access-date=1 October 2014}} Iran believes cooperation and unity among Iraq's fractious militias are essential in its battle against ISIL. Ali Khamenei, in remarks delivered on 15 September 2014, credited "the people of Iraq, the Iraqi Armed Forces, and the popular forces" for halting the ISIL advance of the previous summer.{{cite web|url=http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1963|title=Supreme Leader Interview Before Being Discharged from Hospital|date=15 September 2014|publisher=Islamic Republic of Iran|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128055431/http://english.khamenei.ir/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1963|archive-date=28 January 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

The Washington Post reported that Iran has sent more than 1,000 military advisers to Iraq, and spent more than $1 billion on military aid.[https://thehill.com/policy/international/middle-east-north-africa/228133-iran-has-sent-over-1000-military-advisors-into/ Iran has sent over 1,000 military advisors to fight ISIS in Iraq] The Hill

{{Update section|date=January 2022}}

In the week of 14 June, according to The Guardian, Iran's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was in Baghdad to organise an Iraqi counterattack against ISIL. Press agency Reuters believes that since mid-June, Iran has had members of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fighting on the ground in Iraq against ISIL, though it does not give an estimate of their numbers.{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iraq-security-iran-insight-idUKKBN0G30GG20140803|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015700/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iraq-security-iran-insight-idUKKBN0G30GG20140803|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 March 2016|title=Insight – Iran's elite Guards fighting in Iraq to push back Islamic State|date=3 August 2014|access-date=11 July 2015 |work=Reuters}}

According to Iranian social media, ISIL troops on 19 June attacked two Iranian border guards near Iran's border city of Qasr Shirin, but this has not been confirmed by authoritative sources.{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/isis-just-attacked-iran-8b57b8233af0|title=ISIS Just Attacked Iran|work=Medium|date=22 June 2014|access-date=19 June 2015}}

American war correspondent David Axe, on his website 'War is Boring', asserted that on 21 June 2014 ", it appears Iran joined the air war" of Iraq and Syria against ISIL.{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-syrian-and-iranian-air-forces-are-now-bombing-iraq-2f7e1771b95|title=The Syrian and Iranian Air Forces Are Now Bombing Iraq|author=War is Boring|work=Medium|date=24 June 2014|access-date=7 July 2015}}

By the end of June, according to American officials, Iran had established a control center at Al-Rasheed Air Base in Baghdad and was flying a small fleet of Ababil drones over Iraq, and an Iranian signals intelligence unit had been deployed at the airfield to intercept electronic communications between ISIL fighters and commanders.{{cite news|last1=Gordon|first1=Michael R.|last2=Schmitt|first2=Eric|title=Iran Secretly Sending Drones and Supplies into Iraq, U.S. Officials Say|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/world/middleeast/iran-iraq.html?_r=0|access-date=29 June 2015|work=The New York Times|date=25 June 2014}}

On 1 July, according to IISS, several Su-25 aircraft were sent by Iran to al-Rashid and, later, to the al-Muthanna air base. The aircraft were supported by bi-national Iranian/Iraqi ground crews who had been trained in Iran. (During the 1991 Gulf War, seven Su-25s had been flown by the Iraqi air force to Iran as a temporary safe haven, and Iran had kept them since; ironically, some of them may now have returned to Iraq.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28125687|title='Iranian attack jets deployed' to help Iraq fight Isis|date=2 July 2014|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 July 2015}})

On 5 July, Quds Force pilot Shojaat Alamdari was killed in Samarra, probably working there as a forward air controller.

{{See also|Siege of Amirli}}

Iraqi Kurdish President Barzani and Iranian foreign minister Zarif said, at the end of August 2014, that Iran had been the first country to provide weapons and ammunition (at an unspecified date) to the Iraqi Kurdish forces (Peshmerga). Zarif said that Iran cooperated militarily with the Iraqi central government and the Kurds, but that it had "no military presence in Iraq".

In contradiction to that Iranian denial, Business Insider, without naming its sources, contends that in early August, Iran's IRGC sent Quds Force personnel, attack aircraft, and drones to Iraq and that since early August Iran was operating its Su-25 aircraft (see July 2014) in combat against ISIL.

But in early August, Qasem Soleimani, chief of the Iranian Quds Force, was indeed in Erbil advising Kurdish forces, an Iranian official admitted in early October 2014.{{cite news |title=Iran's mysterious elite general in rare Iraq picture |url=https://news.yahoo.com/irans-mysterious-elite-general-rare-iraq-picture-145321742.html |newspaper=Yahoo/AFP |date=6 October 2014 |access-date=11 July 2015}}

On 21–22 August, according to Kurdish sources, hundreds of Iranian soldiers, allegedly from Iran's 81st Armored Division,{{cite web|url=http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2014/08/25/iran_sends_tanks_to_iraq_to_fight_isis_107389.html|title=Iran Sends Tanks to Iraq to Fight ISIS|last1=Al Salami|first1=Jassem|date=25 August 2014|publisher=Real Clear Defense|access-date=30 September 2014}} helped Peshmerga to take back Jalawla in Diyala Governorate from ISIL. Iran subsequently denied any military presence in Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/08/iran-soldiers-iraq-islamic-state-2014823161322258630.html|title=Iran 'sent soldiers to fight in Iraq'|author=Al Jazeera|date=23 August 2014|access-date=10 July 2015| work=aljazeera.com}}

There were unconfirmed reports of clashes between ISIL forces and Revolutionary Guard Corps units near Urmia on 28 August.{{cite news |date=9 October 2014 |title=Iran Says It's Under Attack by ISIS |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/09/iran-says-it-s-under-attack-by-isis.html |newspaper=Daily Beast |access-date=10 October 2014}}

Between 31 August and 1 September, the Iranian-backed

Iraqi Shia militias Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Kata'ib Hezbollah (see section Background)

joined an Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga assault to break the ISIL siege of Amerli in Saladin Governorate. The attack was supported by the U.S. Air Force at the request of the Iraqi army, according to a statement by the U.S. Central Command.{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/09/us_airstrikes_in_ame.php|title=US airstrikes in Amerli supported deadly Shia terror group|last=Roggio|first=Bill|date=2 September 2014|publisher=Long War Journal|access-date=1 October 2014}}

By early September, according to Business Insider, Iranian Quds Force personnel were deployed to Samarra, Baghdad, Karbala, and the former U.S. military post known as Camp Speicher.

In late September, Iranian general Ahmad Reza Pourdastan threatened to "attack deep into Iraqi territory" should ISIL forces approach the Iranian border.{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/27/Iran-threatens-to-attack-ISIS-deep-inside-Iraq-.html|title=Iran threatens to attack ISIS 'deep' inside Iraq|date=27 September 2014|publisher=Al Arabiya|access-date=30 September 2014}} Earlier in the month, the Iranian government announced it had arrested Afghan and Pakistani nationals attempting to "cross Iran" to join ISIL.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29116764|title=Iran arrests 'Afghans and Pakistanis joining ISIL'|date=8 September 2014|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 September 2014}}

There have been sporadic reports of ISIL troops in Iranian Kurdistan. These claims are unverified.{{cite web|url=http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iran/04092014|title=Witness: IS Has Supporters in Iranian Kurdistan|work=Rudaw|access-date=3 October 2014}}

Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, chief of the Iranian Quds Force, was reportedly present on the battlefield during Operation Ashura. In early October, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) published a picture of Soleimani, purportedly on some battlefield alongside Kurdish Peshmerga. The Operation Ashura included Shi'ite paramilitary groups such as Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Hezbollah and the Badr brigades along with their leader Hadi Al-Amiri. Hezbollah was also present to provide technical advice and combat support for the allied offensive against the town of Jurf al-Sakhr.{{cite web|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b9608f80a3c743ba81373a6eaceb7f13/iran-general-said-mastermind-iraq-ground-war|title=Iran general said to mastermind Iraq ground war|work=The Big Story|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010053606/https://apnews.com/b9608f80a3c743ba81373a6eaceb7f13/iran-general-said-mastermind-iraq-ground-war|url-status=dead}}

{{See also|Battle of Baiji (October–December 2014)}}

On 14 November, it was reported that the army had taken full control of Baiji, forcing ISIL forces to withdraw, and on 18 November, the anti-terrorism force Mosul Battalion entered the refinery for the first time since June. However, this could not be confirmed independently. If confirmed, it would be a major victory for Iraqi forces. State television said that they had entered the gates of the refinery.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/kurds-in-kobani-seize-islamic-state-arms-cache-iraq-touts-progress-in-baiji-battle/article21635253/|title=Kurds in Kobani seize Islamic State arms cache; Iraq touts progress in Baiji battle|date=Nov 18, 2014|work=The Globe and Mail}} Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Iraqi forces were in full control of Baiji. Iraqi state television said Baiji's recapture was a "Graveyard for ISIS".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30103392|title=Iraq troops reach Baiji oil refinery besieged by IS|date=Nov 18, 2014|publisher=BBC News}} Later, the US Department of State congratulated the Iraqi forces for retaking the country's largest oil refinery, confirming the Iraqi victory.{{Cite news |url=http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2409812&language=en|title=US hails Iraqi forces on recapture of Baiji refinery|agency=Kuwait News Agency|date=2014-11-21 |access-date=2014-11-21}}

At the end of November, according to the Israeli website Haaretz, Al Jazeera broadcast a video showing Iranian F-4 Phantom jet-fighters bombing ISIL targets in northeastern Iraq, though Al Jazeera, in its report, alleged they were "Iraqi jet-fighters".{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.629473|title=First footage surfaces: Iranian jet seen attacking ISIS targets in Iraq|date=1 December 2014|access-date=19 June 2015|work=Haaretz}} US rear Admiral John Kirby affirmed on 3 December that he had "indications that [Iran] did indeed fly air strikes with F-4 Phantoms" targeting ISIL positions in the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30304723|title=Iran jets bomb Islamic State targets in Iraq – Pentagon|publisher=BBC News|date=3 December 2014|access-date=19 June 2015}}

[[File:Second Battle of Tikrit (2015).jpeg|350px|thumb|

Military situation in the Second Battle of Tikrit (March–April 2015) as in early-mid March 2015.]]

On 27 December, Iranian IRGC Brigadier General Hamid Taqavi was killed in Samarra, Iraq, reportedly by an ISIL sniper.{{cite news |date=5 January 2015 |title=Suleimani's Man in Iraq Killed by Islamic State |url=http://en.iranwire.com/features/6222/ |agency=IranWire |access-date=11 January 2015 |archive-date=19 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719083255/http://en.iranwire.com/features/6222/ |url-status=dead }} He is the highest ranking Iranian military official to die in Iraq since Iran's military intervention began,{{cite news |date=29 December 2014 |title=General's death highlights Iran's role in Iraq |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/716bd91a-8f4b-11e4-b080-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3OTZjhPeA |newspaper=Financial Times}} other than Qasem Soleimani.

{{Main|Second Battle of Tikrit (March–April 2015)#Iran's role}}

On 2 March, Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Quds Force, was directing Shia militia operations on the eastern flank during the surrounding of ISIL fighters, and was reportedly taking a leading role in the fighting of Iraqi forces and Shia militias against ISIL.{{cite news|title=Iranian General Again in Iraq for Tikrit Offensive|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense-news/blog/intercepts/2015/03/02/iraq-iran-is-war-terrorism/24270363/|work=DefenseNews|access-date=3 March 2015|date=2 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iraqi-army-and-militias-surround-isis-in-major-offensive-in-the-battle-for-tikrit-10083338.html|title=Iraqi army and militias surround Isis in major offensive in the battle for Tikrit|work=The Independent|date=3 March 2015 |access-date=31 March 2015}}

Jim Phillips of the American The Heritage Foundation in March described Suleimani's role in this war as: "he's Iran's viceroy for Iraq".[http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/iranian-gen-qasem-soleimani-guiding-iraqi-forces-fight-against-isis-n321496 ‘Iran's Qasem Soleimani Is Guiding Iraqi Forces in Fight Against ISIS’]. NBC News, 13 March 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.

{{See also|Battle of Ramadi (2014–15)}}

American news website The Long War Journal states without revealing its sources that Iran has sent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij members to fight ISIL in both Syria and Iraq.

Jassem Nouri, a military commander of the IRGC, was killed on 28 May while fighting ISIL near Ramadi in Anbar province, according to Iranian sources.[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/05/iranian-military-commander-killed-fighting-in-ramadi.php 'Iranian military commander killed fighting in Ramadi']. The Long War Journal, 30 May 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

In late May, the American news website Vox characterised Qasem Soleimani as "leading Iraq's overall military strategy against ISIL".{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/cards/things-about-isis-you-need-to-know/iran-intervenes-iraq|title=Iran is fighting on the Iraqi government's side|last1=Beauchamp|first1=Zack|date=28 May 2015|publisher=Vox|access-date=6 July 2015}}

In late June 2014, three Iranian border guards were killed along the border in western Kermanshah province by an alleged "terrorist group", however it is unclear if the assailants were members of PJAK or ISIL.{{cite web|url=http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140625/NEWS08/306250077/3-Iranian-troops-killed-attack-near-Iraq-border|title=3 Iranian troops killed in attack near Iraq border|work=Navy Times|author=Amir Vahdat|date=25 June 2014|access-date=5 October 2014|archive-date=25 June 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140625184947/http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140625/NEWS08/306250077/3-Iranian-troops-killed-attack-near-Iraq-border|url-status=dead}}

There are at least 13 confirmed Iranians killed in Iraq:

In late July 2014, it was reported that Ibrahim al-Haj, a Hezbollah "technical specialist involved in training" was killed near Mosul.{{cite news|title=Hezbollah commander killed in Iraq: sources|date=30 July 2014|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-iraq-hezbollah-idUSKBN0FZ2BI20140730|work=Reuters|access-date=16 October 2014}}{{cite web|title=Hezbollah man dies on 'jihad duty' in Iraq|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/hezbollah-man-dies-jihad-duty-iraq-20147302029917675.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=16 October 2014}}

{{IRQ}}:

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said, "We do respect this Iranian commander and our collaboration with him is not a secret", adding that Iran was quick in selling arms to Iraq and helping Baghdad when Islamic State captured large areas in the country.

Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization, said, "If it were not for the cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and General Suleimani, we would not today have a government headed by Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad".{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2015/01/06/-Iran-saved-Baghdad-from-falling-to-ISIS-says-Iraqi-MP.html|title='Iran saved Baghdad from falling to ISIS,' says Iraqi MP|date=6 January 2015}} During the Second Battle of Tikrit, Hadi al-Amiri said US has failed to live up to its promises to help Iraq fight ISIL, unlike the "unconditional" assistance being given by Iran.{{cite news|url=http://csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2015/0314/Iraqi-commander-slams-US-hails-Iran-in-fight-against-ISIS-in-Tikrit|title=Iraqi commander slams US, hails Iran in fight against ISIS in Tikrit|last1=Abdul-Zahra|first1=Qassim|last2=Yacoub|first2=Sameer N.|work=Christian Science Monitor|date=14 March 2015|agency=Associated Press|access-date=21 June 2017}}

On 31 December 2014, Defence Ministers of Iran and Iraq signed a military pact to combat ISIS.{{cite web|url=http://m.ibtimes.com/isis-update-iran-iraq-agree-military-pact-combat-islamic-state-militants-1770732|title=ISIS Update: Iran, Iraq Agree To Military Pact To Combat Islamic State Militants|date=31 December 2014|work=International Business Times|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231203921/http://m.ibtimes.com/isis-update-iran-iraq-agree-military-pact-combat-islamic-state-militants-1770732|url-status=dead}}

"Iranians will try to calm the fears of the Sunnis instead of persecuting them because the Iranian officials know that it is in their best interest to keep Iraq united," said Hadi Jalo, a Baghdad-based political analyst. "For the Iranians, it is easier to dominate one country instead of three separate states."{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/militants-launch-attack-syrian-kurdish-border-town-094841204.html|title=Iraqi forces, militias sweep into Islamic State-held Tikrit|date=11 March 2015|work=Yahoo News|access-date=31 March 2015}}

In addition to the aforementioned involvement, Iran has been even more engaged in the fight against ISIL, by providing financial and military support to the predominantly Shiite militias of the Popular Mobilization Units. This group was able to gain a foothold in the country's political and economic life after the defeat of ISIL.{{Cite web |last=Santing |first=Kiki |date=2024-11-01 |title=Pro-Iranian militias in Mosul: Between stability and destabilization |url=https://kritarab.hypotheses.org/636 |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Krit:Arab |language=}}

{{flag|United States}} – Following the introduction of Iranian troops into Iraq in June 2014, President Barack Obama said, "Iran can play a constructive role if it is helping to send the same message to the Iraqi government that we're sending."{{cite news|date=20 June 2014|title=Putin offers 'complete support' to Iraq, Iran says Obama lacks will to combat terrorism|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Putin-offers-complete-support-to-Iraq-Iran-says-Obama-lacks-will-to-combat-terrorism/articleshow/36904573.cms|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=1 October 2014}}
In July, Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel offered further explanation, "We are aware of the Iranian and Russian efforts to help the Iraqis, but we are not involved in coordinating any missions."{{cite news|date=11 July 2014|title=Hagel: US knows Iran, Russia aiding Iraq in fight against ISIS|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/212024-hagel-us-knows-iran-russia-aiding-iraq-in-fight-against-isis/|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=1 October 2014}}

In September 2014, Secretary of State John Kerry said the US "does not have any intention" of cooperating with Iran.{{cite news|date=12 September 2014|title=Middle East Updates / Paris wants Iran to help crush ISIL|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/middle-east-updates/1.615474|newspaper=Haaretz|location=Tel Aviv, Israel|access-date=1 October 2014}} Nevertheless, later that month, Kerry met with Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in New York City where the two discussed ISIL.{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/22/Kerry-raises-ISIS-threat-with-Iranian-counterpart.html|title=Kerry raises ISIS threat with Iranian counterpart|date=22 September 2014|publisher=Al Arabiya|access-date=1 October 2014}}

The US in December 2014 continued to deny cooperation with Iran with American Ambassador to Iraq Stuart E. Jones saying: "Let's face it, Iran is an important neighbour to Iraq. There has to be cooperation between Iran and Iraq. The Iranians are talking to the Iraqi security forces and we're talking to Iraqi security forces ... We're relying on them to do the deconfliction" in December 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/05/iran-conducts-air-strikes-against-isis-exremists-iraq|title=Iran air strikes against Isis requested by Iraqi government, says Tehran|author=Julian Borger|work=The Guardian|date=6 December 2014|access-date=31 March 2015}}

At the end of March 2015, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff of the US Armed Forces, Gen. Martin Dempsey, stated that Iran's overt role in the Second Battle of Tikrit (March–April 2015) could be positive and could only become problematic if it descended into sectarianism.{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.de/us-general-iran-role-in-tikrit-assault-may-be-positive/a-18292251|title=US general: Iran role in Tikrit assault ′may be positive′ – News — DW.DE – 04.03.2015|work=DW.DE|access-date=31 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/irans-role-in-iraq-could-be-positive-says-us-general-martin-dempsey/|title=Iran's role in Iraq could be positive, says US general Martin Dempsey|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308181949/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/irans-role-in-iraq-could-be-positive-says-us-general-martin-dempsey/|url-status=dead}}

• {{flag|Canada}} – Speaking at the United Nations, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Iran was "involved in a negative way in every single country in the region" and stated that Canada considers Iran a state sponsor of terrorism.{{cite news|date=19 September 2014 |title=John Baird says world must support fight against 'toxic' ISIS|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/john-baird-says-world-must-support-fight-against-toxic-isis-1.2771883|newspaper=CBC|access-date=1 October 2014}}
• {{flag|China}} – China has said it wants Iran to be part of an "anti-ISIS alliance."{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2014/09/21/The-Gulf-s-fight-against-ISIS-and-its-confrontations-with-Iran.html|title=The Gulf's fight against ISIS and its confrontations with Iran|last1=Dergham|first1=Raghida|date=21 September 2014|publisher=Al Arabiya|access-date=1 October 2014}}
• {{flag|France}} – In September, French officials suggested inviting Iran to an international conference of nations involved in the American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present), however, objections by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates prevented such an invitation from being extended.{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Michael|date=1 October 2014|title=Kerry Says U.S. Is Open to Talking to Iran, Even as Ayatollah Is Dismissive|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/world/middleeast/iraqi-leader-asks-world-powers-to-pursue-isis-in-syria.html|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=1 October 2014}}
• {{flag|India}} – In what The Hindu declared was a likely reference to the exclusion of Iran and Syria from the American-led intervention in Iraq, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September said that "everyone must be included in a global fight against the terror we see in west Asia."{{cite news|last=Haidar|first=Suhasini|date=28 September 2014|title=Modi calls for global convention on terror|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/modi-calls-for-global-convention-on-terror/article6453259.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=3 October 2014}}
• {{flag|Italy}} – Italian foreign minister Federica Mogherini has said Iran can play a "positive role" in operations against ISIL and added that she hoped agreement could be reached by which Iran would join "the countries that are working to combat ISIL and support the Iraqi government."{{cite news|date=26 September 2014|title=Renzi govt talks to Iran as anti-ISIS campaign rolls on|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2014/09/26/renzi-govt-talks-to-iran-as-anti-isis-campaign-rolls-on_42ac7271-f165-4f3d-9eb6-5efdb5c4a9cf.html|newspaper=ANSA|access-date=1 October 2014}}
• {{flag|Israel}} – During an NBC television interview in June, Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, made known his concerns over American cooperation with Iran. He offered the following words of advice to President Barack Obama, "when your enemies are fighting one another, don't strengthen either one of them. Weaken both." Netanyahu also expressed his concern over Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, asserting it would be a tragic mistake that would make everything else pale in comparison.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
• {{flagicon image|ShababFlag.svg}} Ansar al-Sharia (Yemen) – Sheikh Nasser bin Ali al Ansi has connected the current Shia insurgency in Yemen to the conflict in Iraq, saying that "Iranian agents" are the common enemy across every theater of war in the Middle East.{{cite news|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|date=2 October 2014|title=Al Nusrah Front propaganda focuses on Iranian influence in Lebanon, Syria|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/10/al_nusrah_front_prop.php#ixzz3F39Yv7nY |newspaper=Long War Journal|access-date=2 October 2014}}
• {{flag|Russia}} – Russia has said it wants Iran to be part of an "anti-ISIS alliance."

At the same time as the Iranian intervention in Iraq, a parallel American-led intervention was occurring. Neither nation is known to have cooperated with the other in combating ISIL. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has dismissed U.S. involvement, noting that "Iran, from the very first moment, did not hesitate in fighting against terrorism. Other countries apparently had their doubts for quite some time ... they acted quite late in the game."{{cite web|url=http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2014/09/28/rouhani-iran-is-against-terrorism/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140930084950/http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2014/09/28/rouhani-iran-is-against-terrorism/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2014|title=Rouhani: Iran is "against terrorism"|date=28 September 2014|publisher=Newsweek|access-date=30 September 2014}} Rouhani went on to question the level of American commitment, noting that the U.S. had not committed ground troops, as Iran had{{cite news|author=Tracy Connor|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/irans-rouhani-blasts-isis-ridiculous-u-s--led-coalition-n205496|title=Iran's Rouhani Blasts ISIS and 'Ridiculous' U.S.-Led Coalition|date=September 17, 2014|publisher=NBC News}} with, according to The Economist, Iranian officials boasting of being the ground force for America's air strikes.{{cite news|title=Iranian foreign policy: The long arm|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21640382-iran-doing-better-its-rivals-expanding-its-influence-unstable|access-date=2 February 2015|newspaper=The Economist|date=24 Jan 2015}}

On 29 September, in response to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that the United States wanted "to find out if they [Iran] will come on board" the American-led intervention, Ali Khamenei declared the U.S. position on ISIL as "absurd, hollow and biased." Nonetheless, Khamenei also noted that some Iranian government officials were "not against" cooperation with the United States, explaining that he had personally quashed the suggestion of joint action against ISIL. In follow-up remarks, the Iranian-affiliated Kata'ib Hezbollah declared it would "not fight alongside the American troops under any kind of conditions whatsoever," adding that its only contact with the United States military would be "if we fight each other."

At least one Hezbollah official has indicated the party will continue to operate independently, or in concert with Iraqi and Iranian forces, against ISIL and will not cooperate with the U.S.-led coalition concurrently operating against ISIL. Mohammad Raad dismissed the NATO-centred coalition as neither serious nor sufficient to counter ISIL and noted that Hezbollah had initiated military operations against the ISIL prior to United States involvement.{{cite news|date=21 September 2014|title=Hezbollah MP belittles counterterrorism coalition|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Sep-21/271391-hezbollah-mp-belittles-counterterrorism-coalition.ashx#axzz3EXP6ddhO|newspaper=Daily Star|location=Beirut, Lebanon|access-date=27 September 2014}}

Despite the cool reception given by Iran and its allies to the United States intervention, some observers believe the U.S. coalition will eventually be forced into brokering an alliance with Tehran. Eyal Zisser of Tel Aviv University has explained that "the West is helpless and does not know what to do against the Islamic State" and that it will ultimately conclude it has no choice but to ally with Iran.{{cite news|last=Solomon|first=Ben|date=22 August 2014|title=Powerless to stop ISIL, West may have to join forces with Iran, Hezbollah|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Powerless-to-stop-ISIS-West-may-have-no-choice-but-to-join-forces-with-Iran-Hezbollah-371935|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|access-date=30 September 2014}}

• Iranian involvement in the Syrian civil war
• Opération Chammal – French operation against ISIL
• Operation Okra – Australian operation against ISIL
• Operation Impact – Canadian operation against ISIL
• Operation Shader – UK operation against ISIL
• Operation Inherent Resolve – US operation against ISIL

{{Reflist|3}}

{{Iranian military interventions and supports}}

{{Military intervention against ISIL}}

{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}

{{Iran–Saudi Arabia relations}}

{{Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014-present)}}

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Category:Iran–Iraq military relations

Category:Iran–Iraq relations

Category:Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict

Category:Iran–Saudi Arabia relations

Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Iran

Category:Military operations of the War in Iraq (2013–2017) involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Category:Responsibility to protect

Category:Wars involving Hezbollah

Category:Wars involving Iran