The Biden administration has warned Iraq's government that it could face an Israeli attack if it fails to prevent an anticipated Iranian assault on Israel from Iraqi territory, two U.S. officials told Axios. The warning highlights escalating concerns that Iran may launch strikes on Israel from Iraq in response to Israel’s recent actions.

According to U.S. and Israeli intelligence, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has been preparing an attack by moving drones and ballistic missiles to Shia militias in Iraq. The potential assault is reportedly planned as retaliation for Israel's October 25 airstrike inside Iran. U.S. officials have cautioned Iran publicly and privately to avoid actions that could increase regional tensions, but Iran has not shown signs of de-escalating, said one U.S. official.

In an effort to defuse the situation, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, pressing for action against the pro-Iran Shia militias responsible for mounting attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. Sullivan and Blinken warned al-Sudani that if Iraq does not prevent these planned Iranian strikes from its soil, the U.S. may not be able to prevent an Israeli military response against Iraq.

In response to the U.S. requests, al-Sudani has expressed a desire to keep Iraq out of escalating conflicts between Iran and Israel. However, according to the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, linked to Hezbollah, al-Sudani’s efforts to control the pro-Iran factions have faced significant resistance. A Shia militia official reportedly noted that al-Sudani has been urging restraint from these groups to avoid Israeli action on Iraqi soil.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller echoed these concerns, emphasizing that Iraq must meet its obligations to protect U.S. personnel and prevent unauthorized attacks from Iranian-aligned militias. "It is important that Iraq not be drawn into regional conflict," Miller stated, underscoring the necessity for the Iraqi government to exert control over its armed factions.

Neither the White House nor the Iraqi Embassy in Washington provided additional comments. The situation underscores the Biden administration’s efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict amid increasing tensions between Iran and Israel.