US Think Tank Warns Iraqi Israeli Bases Could Trigger Iranian Retaliation

A US-based think tank warned that Israeli bases discovered in Iraq’s western desert could unsettle the region’s diplomatic and military balance and raise the risk of a new conflict in the Middle East. The group said the sites have been used for Israeli operations against Iran, heightening tensions across the region. The report said Iraq’s proximity to Iran could prompt Tehran to retaliate against those bases. It added that the fallout could complicate Baghdad’s efforts to maintain a balance between Washington and Tehran. The think tank also warned that Arab states could revisit their security ties with Washington if the situation escalates. The assessment framed the Iraqi desert sites as a broader regional flashpoint with consequences beyond Iraq’s borders.