Iran Formed Secret Iraqi Cells to Strike Gulf Nations: Report

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has established secretive new cells in Iraq to execute attacks against Gulf countries hosting American forces.

The strategy intentionally bypasses established militia networks to avoid detection, according to eight Iraqi sources who told Reuters.

The covert network comprises three or four elite cells, each containing approximately 10 Iraqi Shi'ite fighters.

These units launched at least seven drone attacks from desert locations near Basra and Samawa against targets in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates between April 20 and May 17.

Tactical Shift Under Economic Strain

The formation of these directly controlled units represents a significant shift in Iranian tactical operations.

The strategy aims to preserve Tehran's regional force projection at a time when its traditional proxy network is diminished and its economic resources are depleted.

While some members were selected from the Islamic Resistance in Iraq umbrella group, these new cells operate entirely outside its command structure.

The units report directly to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The development follows signals from established Iraqi Shi'ite factions that they intend to disarm and transition into domestic politics.

This shift is intended to prevent direct conflict with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Regional Deniability and Plausible Cover

Operating smaller, highly radicalized cadres allows Tehran to maintain plausible deniability.

The arrangement insulates major Iran-backed political groups in Baghdad from Western retaliation and reduces U.S. pressure on the Iraqi government to disband them.

The newer groups operate under unfamiliar names with minimal public profiles.

They prioritize strict ideological loyalty and low operational footprints over mass recruitment.

The U.S. State Department has reiterated expectations that the Iraqi government dismantle all instruments of Iranian activity on its soil.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack recently discussed comprehensive disarmament plans for groups operating outside state control.