Iran-Backed Militias Plan Attacks on U.S. Bases in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Intelligence Warns
June 23, 2025 – Tensions in the Middle East have escalated as U.S. military and intelligence officials report that Iran-backed militias are preparing to launch attacks on American bases in Iraq and possibly Syria. The intelligence, reported by The New York Times, comes in the wake of U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—on June 22, 2025, which severely damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The strikes, part of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” have prompted Iran’s leadership to vow retaliation. Iranian-backed groups, including Kataib Hezbollah under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have previously targeted U.S. forces, launching nearly 200 attacks since October 2023. Recent intelligence suggests these militias, equipped with ballistic missiles and precision-guided munitions from Iran, are gearing up for new strikes.
Iraqi officials are reportedly working to dissuade these groups from acting, but the militias’ rhetoric has intensified. On X, sources indicate that Kataib Hezbollah has warned of direct strikes on U.S. interests if American involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict continues. The militias may target bases like Al-Asad in Iraq or Al-Tanf in Syria, using drones, rockets, or short-range missiles, which Iran still possesses in ample supply.
The U.S. has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, now on high alert. The Pentagon has emphasized that the strikes were not aimed at regime change, but Iran’s response could involve proxy warfare or cyberattacks.
As the region braces for potential retaliation, diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent further escalation. However, with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in hiding and vowing punishment, the risk of a broader conflict looms large.