Based on an analysis of 449 trending X/Twitter posts by Miqrab AI on January 17, 2025, the primary narratives in Iraq focus on Iran’s significant economic and political influence, particularly through the alleged large-scale smuggling of US dollars via the Iraqi Central Bank. Concurrently, there is considerable discussion about regional geopolitical shifts, including a new strategic agreement between Iran and Russia, which is viewed as a challenge to Western interests, and the political changes in Syria, which some see as a major setback for Tehran. Internal Iraqi discourse is marked by sectarian tensions, allegations of corruption, security concerns in cities like Samarra, and religious conspiracy theories. Other prominent topics include criticism of Hezbollah in Lebanon, US Republican calls to sanction Iraqi officials, and the commemoration of the 1991 Gulf War.

Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:

1. Allegations of Massive Dollar Smuggling to Iran

Multiple accounts raised alarms over the Iraqi Central Bank’s daily dollar sales reaching approximately $300 million, describing it as the highest rate of currency smuggling in a single day. Rusly Al-Maliki 🇮🇶 رسلي المالكي (Post Impact: 27%) suggested that “Iran is trying to siphon off as much of Iraq’s dollars as possible before Trump’s arrival.” Similarly, Omar Abd Al Sattar Mahmoud (Post Impact: 18%) and Amer Abduljabbar Ismael (Post Impact: 17%) highlighted the large sums being sold and pointed to Iran as the beneficiary. Ziad Al-Hashimi (Post Impact: 12%) noted that this spike in transfers brings back “suspicions about the return of smuggling and money laundering,” questioning whether US federal controls have been relaxed. Dr. Qusay Shafiq (Post Impact: 16%) sarcastically commented on the claim that the Iraqi dinar is strong while “Iran swallows dollars from Iraq.”

2. Iran and Russia Sign Strategic Agreement

A high-impact post from Hassan Al-Kaabi | H𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕒n A𝕝𝕜𝕒𝕒𝕓i (Post Impact: 61%) congratulated Iran on signing a new strategic agreement with Russia. The account framed this development as a significant geopolitical event, describing the agreement as “a painful blow to the West and America in the Middle East region.” The post suggests the agreement will have major implications for the balance of power, undermining US and Western influence.

3. Claims of Israeli Plot to Kill Imam Mahdi

A conspiracy theory circulated by multiple accounts centered on claims made by Iranian cleric Mohsen Mojtahedzadeh. Rusly Al-Maliki 🇮🇶 رسلي المالكي (Post Impact: 36%) reported that Mojtahedzadeh alleged “Israel dug a tunnel in Iraq to reach the body of Imam Hassan al-Askari” to obtain his DNA in order to identify and kill his son, Imam Mahdi. The cleric also claimed the US installed cameras throughout Iraq and built towers with AI-controlled snipers near the Al-Askari shrine for the same purpose. Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 8%) also shared these detailed allegations, questioning the validity of the story while reporting on the cleric’s statements.

4. Allegations of Moral Decay and “Wife-Swapping” in Najaf

In a post with very high engagement, _. suhair Al_jumaili (Post Impact: 80%) made strong allegations about moral decline spreading from Diyala to Najaf. The post explicitly mentioned “wife-swapping among the Shiites,” describing it as the “pinnacle of vulgarity, villainy, and baseness.” This account expressed severe criticism of what it perceives as social degradation in a religiously significant city.

5. Pledge of Allegiance to “Ibn Al-Zahra”

A widely shared post from Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 68%) expressed unwavering loyalty to a figure referred to as “Ibn Al-Zahra” (Son of Zahra), a common honorific for the Imams of Shia Islam, particularly Imam Hussein or the awaited Imam Mahdi. The post contained a fervent pledge of support, stating, “If the world conspires against us, we will not leave you, O son of Zahra. We will not let you down even if we are hung on the gallows.” This message highlights a deep-seated religious and political allegiance among its supporters.

6. Developments in Syria Seen as Setback for Iran

The new political reality in Syria was a topic of significant discussion, framed as both a cultural shift and a geopolitical defeat for Iran. Hassan Al-Kaabi | H𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕒n A𝕝𝕜𝕒𝕒𝕓i (Post Impact: 38%) criticized the new Syrian leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa for changing the names of several mosques. Meanwhile, Aayad Al-Tufan (Post Impact: 12%) quoted Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who reportedly described the events in Syria as a “harsh defeat for Iran,” comparing it to military losses during the Iran-Iraq war and calling it a “big and painful blow.”

7. Criticism of Hezbollah in Lebanon

A post from _. suhair Al_jumaili (Post Impact: 32%) targeted Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for a statement praising Hezbollah. Berri was quoted as saying, “As long as God is in the sky, Hezbollah is on the ground.” The account reacted with outrage, calling for divine intervention to “remove you along with Hassan Zmira [a derogatory term for Nasrallah] and clean Lebanon from the filth and dirt of the terrorist Iranian Hezbollah.”

8. Concerns Over the Fate of Samarra

Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 27%) highlighted growing concerns about the situation in the city of Samarra. The post featured a video of politician Faiq Al-Sheikh, who gave an “early, precise, and important diagnosis” of what he described as a “crime being committed against Samarra and its people.” The post questioned whether any parliamentary representative from Saladin Governorate would dare to raise the issue, suggesting a climate of fear or neglect surrounding the city’s fate.

9. US Republican Calls to Sanction Iraqi Leaders

Several accounts reported on calls from US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson to take action against prominent Iraqi political and security figures. Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 8%) noted that Wilson wants Hadi al-Amiri and the entire Badr Organization to be designated as terrorists, adding that Wilson believes “President Trump will fix the matter.” In a separate post, _. suhair Al_jumaili (Post Impact: 7%) reported that Wilson also attacked Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, labeling him as “Iran-backed.”

10. Visa Issue Resolved for Gulf Visitors at Border

The account Haidar (Post Impact: 10%) reported that Iraq decided to cancel the electronic visa requirement at the Safwan border crossing for visitors from Gulf countries. This decision was made to facilitate entry after large numbers of visitors from Kuwait and Bahrain were held up at the border for two days due to processing delays. A follow-up post from the same account, Haidar (Post Impact: 11%), shared a video showing the joy of Bahraini visitors after the problem was solved and they were able to enter the country.