Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki’s Political Efforts: Former Iraqi Prime Minister and State of Law Coalition head Nouri al Maliki reportedly told the United States via unidentified mediators that he would disarm Iranian-backed Iraqi militias if the United States supports his bid to become prime minister, according to an unidentified senior Iraqi official speaking to a Kurdish journalist on December 3. Maliki would likely attempt to transform elements of the Iraqi security establishment, including the PMF, into a force that he could use to enhance his personal power as prime minister.
Iranian Influence in Iraq: Iranian-backed Iraqi actors reportedly pressured the Iraqi federal government to reverse its decision to designate the Houthis and Lebanese Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.
Militia Activity in Iraq: The Iraqi federal government accused “outlaws” on December 3 of committing the November 26 drone attack on the Khor Mor Gas Field in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Iraqi federal government often uses the term “outlaws” to accuse Iranian-backed Iraqi militias of conducting attacks without explicitly implicating the militias.
Turkey’s View of the Syrian Democratic Forces: A spokesperson for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political party suggested that Turkey will no longer consider the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to be a “terrorist organization” if the SDF hands over key resources and infrastructure to the Syrian government as part of its integration into the Syrian state. The spokesperson’s statement suggests that Turkey may be anticipating the SDF’s compliance with the March 10 agreement, which possibly indicates positive momentum in the integration process as the end-of-year integration deadline approaches.
Iranian Military Posture: The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy began an annual two-day military exercise on December 4 in which it displayed its “interception” capabilities, likely as part of an Iranian effort to deter the United States and its allies from seizing Iranian vessels.
Iran Update, December 4, 2025 (Institute for the Study of War)
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