A senior commander of the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia umbrella Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) stated that some of the organization's forces have been sent to Iran to prepare for a possible US ground invasion of southern Iran, according to a report by Iran International cited by security analyst Yair Goldblatt.
The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions following the recent escalation between Israel and Iran. Iran International, a Persian-language news outlet based in London, reported the commander's remarks. The claim was amplified by Israeli security analyst Yair Goldblatt on X. The Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), is a coalition of mostly Shiite militias officially integrated into the Iraqi security apparatus but widely considered an Iranian proxy. The Zioneer's archive has previously documented the IRGC moving tanks and military vehicles to southern Iran, as reported by Goldblatt, and Hashed al-Shaabi representatives attending funeral ceremonies in Tehran, underscoring the close ties between the Iraqi militias and the Iranian establishment. The commander's claim of deploying forces to Iran to counter a potential US ground invasion could not be independently verified. There has been no official US comment on the possibility of a ground invasion of southern Iran.
- StrongIraqi Hashed al-Shaabi representatives attend Tehran funeral ceremonies
- DevelopingIranian militia official in Iraq threatens attacks on enemy bases, Al-Mahwar News reports
- DevelopingIranian official alleges Trump planned ground invasion of Iran
- DevelopingSenior IRGC official warns US plans to 'strip' southern Iran, citing intelligence
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