A senior US Republican lawmaker warned on Wednesday that future American security help for Iraq may soon come with serious conditions. He said the US Congress is ready to tie military support to Iraq taking action against what he called “Iran-backed militias,” marking what he described as a major change in how Washington deals with Baghdad.
Representative Joe Wilson said lawmakers are prepared to add new requirements to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would force the Iraqi government to take “real steps” against armed groups linked to Tehran.
Wilson posted a statement on X praising President Donald Trump and the president’s special envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, saying they had introduced a new, tougher strategy on Iraq.
“I appreciate President Trump and Special Envoy Mark Savaya,” Wilson wrote. “They have made it clear that the old approach of allowing support for Iran-backed militias is over. It’s time to help Iraq break free from Iran.”
He said Congress is ready to support that approach through law. According to Wilson, the upcoming NDAA will, for the first time, make US security aid to Iraqi forces dependent on Baghdad taking concrete action against Iran-aligned armed groups. He also noted that the NDAA continues to include his long-standing provisions blocking US taxpayer money from reaching the Badr Corps or any other militias backed by Iran.
Wilson went further, accusing Iran of heavily influencing or controlling major parts of the Iraqi state, including the military, security services, judiciary, police, and political system. He claimed several well-known armed groups—such as Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Kataib Imam Ali—are designated terrorist organizations and remain deeply involved in state institutions.
Because of this influence, Wilson argued that election results in Iraq no longer determine the country’s direction. “It almost doesn’t matter who wins,” he said. “Many Iraqis want an independent country without harmful outside interference, but Iran has infiltrated too many parts of the system. Congress won’t keep giving unlimited support forever.”
He urged Baghdad to stop funding armed groups through the national budget, the Central Bank, and the oil sector. He also called for ending money laundering, blocking financial transfers to Iran and its allies, allowing international audits of oil revenue, and taking permanent steps to disarm Iran-aligned factions.
Wilson added that Iraq’s government, courts, military, and police must act in the interests of the Iraqi people—not any foreign power. He also stressed the need to protect the Kurdistan Region and to end all forms of violence or pressure against it.
