Several of Iraq's most powerful Iranian-backed militias are reportedly prepared to disarm for the first time, as escalating threats from the Trump administration force a rethinking of strategy among Tehran's regional allies.
Ten senior militia commanders and Iraqi officials told Reuters that U.S. pressure, including warnings of potential airstrikes, has prompted internal discussions within the groups to de-escalate. Six commanders from Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujabaa, Kataib Sayyed al-Shuhada, and Ansarullah al-Awfiyaa confirmed talks were underway.
"Trump is ready to take the war with us to worse levels, we know that, and we want to avoid such a bad scenario," said a masked Kataib Hezbollah commander, speaking from a location in southern Iraq.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office is actively engaged in negotiations with militia leaders. "The factions are not acting stubbornly or insisting on continuing in their current form," said Izzat al-Shahbndar, a senior Shiite politician close to the governing alliance. "They are fully aware they could be targeted by the U.S."
The militias, grouped under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, number approximately 50,000 fighters and have access to long-range missiles and anti-aircraft systems, according to two Iraqi security officials. These groups have claimed dozens of attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war reignited in October 2023.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly told Sudani in a March 16 phone call to rein in these militias or face potential retaliation. Iraqi security sources said Washington's pressure has already resulted in some militias vacating headquarters in major cities like Mosul and Anbar, while leaders have begun rotating residences and communications to evade detection.
The U.S. State Department reiterated its demand that "these forces must respond to Iraq's commander-in-chief and not to Iran."
Farhad Alaaeldin, foreign affairs adviser to Prime Minister Sudani, confirmed to Reuters that the government's goal remains bringing all weapons under state control through "constructive dialogue with various national actors."
While discussions continue, the IRGC-considered a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization-has reportedly given its Iraqi proxies autonomy to make tactical decisions to avoid conflict with the U.S. and Israel. The IRGC did not comment.
Options under consideration include converting the militias into political parties or integrating them into Iraq's official armed forces, according to Shahbndar.
This tentative shift comes amid growing cracks in Iran's regional "Axis of Resistance," which has suffered major setbacks. Hamas and Hezbollah have endured intense Israeli bombardments, the Houthis have been targeted by U.S. strikes, and the Syrian regime remains embattled. Tehran's ability to project regional influence has diminished.
"If we do not voluntarily comply, it may be forced upon us from the outside, and by force," said Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, a former adviser to the Iraqi government.
The Trump administration's posture comes after a series of deadly attacks by Iran-backed groups, including a drone strike that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan last year and multiple strikes on Israel since October.
