Marco Rubio’s name with PM Shia al-Sudani comes as Iraq is predicted to see a brand new authorities amid US-Iran tensions.
Revealed On 26 Jan 2026
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, following the transfer of ISIL (ISIS)-linked detainees from Syria to Iraq, as he inspired Baghdad to keep up autonomy from Iran amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
In a information launch, america Division of State mentioned Rubio and al-Sudani spoke on Sunday, throughout which the highest US diplomat “counseled the Authorities of Iraq’s initiative and management in expediting the switch and detention of ISIS terrorists”.
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On Wednesday, the US army mentioned it moved the primary 150 detainees, being held in a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a safe location in Iraq, because the Syrian military took control of extra territories beforehand held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The army plans to switch as much as 7,000 folks to Iraq.
The transfer represented a seismic shift in how the US handles its struggle towards ISIL, which has traditionally relied on a decade-plus relationship with the SDF, in favour of partnering with the Syrian authorities and Baghdad. The SDF was educated and armed by the US within the struggle towards ISIL.
‘We’re watching Iran’
The decision on Sunday additionally got here as Iraq is anticipating a return of Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister after greater than 10 years. Al-Maliki first grew to become prime minister in 2006 with the backing of the US. His ties with the US soured after being accused of implementing sectarian insurance policies that led to the rise of ISIL in Iraq.
Rubio mentioned “Iraq can absolutely realise its potential as a drive for stability, prosperity, and safety within the Center East” as a brand new authorities is predicted to take energy in Baghdad.
“The secretary emphasised {that a} authorities managed by Iran can not efficiently put Iraq’s personal pursuits first, preserve Iraq out of regional conflicts or advance the mutually helpful partnership between america and Iraq,” Rubio mentioned, in accordance with State Division spokesman Tommy Pigott.
In the meantime, the US has been shifting its army property within the Center East. On Thursday, President Donald Trump mentioned an “armada” of warships was heading towards the Gulf with Iran as its focus.
Throughout the mass protests that rocked Iran beginning in late December, Trump repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily, prompting Tehran to pledge retaliation. The US struck three of Iran’s nuclear websites final June throughout Israel’s 12-day conflict with Tehran.
“We’re watching Iran. We’ve got an enormous drive going in the direction of Iran,” Trump mentioned of the armada.
The US invaded Iraq in 2003, inflicting the nation to descend into political chaos and the rise of al-Qaeda and later ISIL. US troops withdrew in 2009.
Washington fears the affect of the pro-Iranian Shia armed teams, which function beneath the umbrella of the Widespread Mobilization Forces (al-Hashd al-Shaabi or PMF). The PMF performed main function within the struggle towards ISIL.
The US needs armed teams to be dismantled and built-in into the state buildings.
