Israel’s attacks on Iranian-linked armed groups risk turning Iraq into a battleground and undermining US influence with one of its most critical regional partners at an especially delicate time for the government in Baghdad. The United States should consider setting some red lines, a kind of extended deterrence, between Iran and Israel to avoid destabilizing Iraq, as the fallout from these attacks could ultimately play to Tehran’s advantage.

Bibi: No immunity 'anywhere' for Iran

On Monday, for the fourth time in a month, a base linked to the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) was bombed from the air. Anonymous US officials confirmed that Israel was behind an earlier attack on July 19, while denying any US involvement. Informed speculation is that Israel was behind the other attacks as well, with perhaps more to come. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, “I don’t give Iran immunity anywhere.” Asked if he was confirming Israel’s role in the recent attacks in Iraq, he replied, “We act in many arenas against a country that desires to annihilate us. Of course I gave the security forces a free hand.”