Iran’s Revolutionary Guard welcomes the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, calling it the beginning of Washington’s expulsion from the region

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard welcomed the withdrawal of the last American troops from Iraq, calling it a “historic victory” and the beginning of the expulsion of the United States from the region and the Islamic world. The organization said that the departure of the troops represents a major achievement for the “axis of resistance,” the alliance formed by Iran and allied armed groups.

The Pentagon announced that the United States had ended its military presence in Iraq, after more than two decades. The 2003 American-British invasion led to the removal of Saddam Hussein’s regime, and American troops subsequently played an important role in operations against the Islamic State group.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi described the withdrawal as the beginning of a new phase and a sign that Iraq was regaining full sovereignty. He also announced a plan to eliminate weapons outside state control, with a completion deadline of June 30, 2027.

Iran-aligned militias are expected to be disarmed and integrated into Iraq’s security structures, but some of the most powerful groups have so far refused to lay down their weapons. Tehran has long opposed the American military presence in Iraq and maintains close ties with these groups.