The recent attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria has brought into sharp focus Iran’s overarching geopolitical ambitions, notably its pursuit of regional hegemony through strategic maneuvers aimed at expelling U.S. military presence from Iraq and Syria.
The impending meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani and President Biden underscores the extent of Tehran’s influence, as Sudani, despite maintaining cordial relations with U.S. diplomats and military officials, finds himself compelled by pro-Iranian factions to hasten the withdrawal of American forces.
Sudani’s position, however, is precarious, given his limited political backing and dependence on Iran-aligned parties and militias.

Should the United States accede to the withdrawal demands, it risks inadvertently emboldening Iran’s grip over Iraq and undermining efforts to maintain stability in the region.
To effectively counter Iran’s expansionist agenda, the United States must adopt a comprehensive approach, encompassing robust deterrence measures, targeted reimposition of sanctions akin to those implemented during the previous administration, heightened political pressure on the Iranian regime, and concerted efforts to foster regional alliances, including the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Such strategic imperatives are critical in safeguarding U.S. interests and curtailing Iran’s disruptive influence in the Middle East.