Based on Miqrab AI’s analysis of 1590 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on June 16, 2025, the primary focus of online conversation was the escalating military conflict between Iran and Israel. The discourse was highly polarized, with a significant volume of posts expressing strong pro-Iranian sentiment, celebrating attacks on Israeli targets, and praising the resilience of Iranian figures. Conversely, a vocal counter-narrative mocked Iran’s capabilities, criticized its motivations, and questioned the strategic value of its actions. Alongside direct commentary on the conflict, users reported on specific events such as missile launches observed from Kuwait, Israeli retaliatory strikes on Tehran, and the alleged killing of a high-ranking Israeli commander. The conflict’s spillover into Iraq was also a key theme, with discussions covering the reactions of Iraqi political figures like Muqtada al-Sadr, security measures in Baghdad, and criticism of Iran’s proxies within the country.

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

1. Pro-Iranian Accounts Celebrate Attacks on Israel

A dominant narrative on Iraqi X / Twitter involved accounts expressing strong support for Iran and celebrating its military strikes against Israel. The most engaged post, from Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 100%), shared a video of destruction with the caption, “South Tel Aviv is a disaster-stricken city. A very, very, very, very beautiful video. Enjoy the destruction.” This sentiment was echoed by others, such as Dr. Hamid Abdullah (Post Impact: 16%), who stated, “My pen and my voice are with everyone who stones Israel with any weapon, from stones to a Kheibar missile.” Dr. Haidar Al-Barzanji (Post Impact: 9%) described images of the Haifa port under attack as “a heartwarming scene, a painting by an Iranian artist.” Posts also showed celebrations in Basra, linking them to both the Iranian “victory” and the religious festival of Eid al-Ghadir.

2. Muqtada al-Sadr Issues a Warning to the US and Israel

A post by influential Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sayyid Muhammad Al-Sadr (Post Impact: 97%) garnered massive attention. The post consisted solely of an image containing a direct statement titled “Warning” addressed to the American government and “the Zionist entity.” The message warned them against escalating the conflict and involving Iraq in the confrontation. It listed several conditions and threatened a strong response if they were not met, positioning the Sadrist movement as a key player in the regional fallout from the Iran-Israel conflict.

3. Iranian Missile Launches Spotted from Kuwait

Multiple accounts, led by journalist Zaid Benjamin (Post Impact: 84%), reported on the sighting of Iranian missiles being launched towards Israel from locations near Kuwait. Benjamin shared videos showing missiles in the sky near the Kuwait Towers and from the Al-Abdali and Sulaibiya areas in northern and western Kuwait. These posts, including one from Zaid Benjamin (Post Impact: 19%) and another from Zaid Benjamin (Post Impact: 11%), provided visual evidence of the missile trajectories passing near Kuwaiti territory, highlighting the regional scope of the Iranian operation and bringing the conflict closer to other Gulf states.

4. Praise for Iranian News Anchor Sahar Imami’s Composure Under Fire

A video of Iranian news anchor Sahar Imami continuing her broadcast during an apparent Israeli airstrike on her studio circulated widely, drawing admiration from many users. Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 79%) shared the full clip, noting that Imami only left after parts of the ceiling began to fall. Her composure was framed as a symbol of Iranian courage and resilience. Naeem Al-Aboudi (Post Impact: 6%) praised her, describing it as an example of “Zainab-style upbringing,” representing strength and fortitude. In contrast, Haydar (Post Impact: 7%) highlighted that Iraqi journalist Hiba Al-Naiab had described Imami as a “black beetle.”

5. Claims of Israeli Air Force Commander’s Assassination Circulate

Pro-Iranian accounts widely circulated the claim that the commander of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar, had been killed in an Iranian strike. A post from Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 67%) announced that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had successfully targeted the general, stating he was “sent to hell successfully.” This unconfirmed news was presented as a major victory for Iran. Hassan Al-Kaabi (Post Impact: 7%) also shared the news, calling it “joyful news for all Muslims, especially our steadfast people in Gaza.”

6. Anti-Iranian Accounts Mock Iran’s Military Capabilities

A strong counter-narrative emerged from accounts critical of the Iranian regime, which portrayed the conflict as a display of Iranian weakness. Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 28%) contrasted a video of Benjamin Netanyahu among his people with Iran’s leader, whom he called “the cowardly rat Khamenei hiding in sewers.” Similarly, former MP Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 28%) argued that Trump and Netanyahu had exposed Iran’s long-standing strategy of deception, claiming that “From now on, the Arabs should not negotiate with the Iranians… but rather send them their terms.” Aayad Al Twfan (Post Impact: 8%) called it “shameful” that Israel alone did to Iran what a coalition of over 30 countries did to Iraq, concluding that Iran is a “fragile and exposed” state.

7. Videos Show Execution of Alleged Mossad Spies in Iran

Several accounts shared images and videos purportedly showing the public execution of individuals accused of being Mossad agents in Iran. A post by Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 37%) explicitly stated, “Watch how Iran executes agents for Mossad.” Ali Abdul Sahib Al-Jubouri (Post Impact: 12%) shared a related image with the caption, “Your goods have been returned to you. Don’t be a spy.” These posts were framed as a display of Iran’s internal security strength and its resolve against Israeli espionage.

8. Israeli Strike on Iranian State Media Building Reported

News of an Israeli airstrike targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building in Tehran was reported by multiple sources. Zaid Benjamin (Post Impact: 24%) shared a video of the moment of the bombing. The attack was condemned by pro-Iranian entities, with the Popular Mobilization Forces Media Directorate (Post Impact: 4%) issuing a statement describing it as a “treacherous Zionist aggression” and a “blatant assault on freedom of speech.” Journalist Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 5%) commented that regardless of the circumstances, “bombing journalists and media professionals during conflicts is a crime.”

9. Users Question Iran’s Motives and Strategy in the Conflict

A significant portion of the conversation involved questioning the motives and effectiveness of Iran’s actions. Politician Dhafer Al-Ani (Post Impact: 20%) asked why, if Iran possesses such a large arsenal, it did not use it to defend Gaza. Similarly, Zina Al Saab (Post Impact: 4%) asserted that Iran’s actions were purely for its own “national security” and that Gaza was its “last concern.” Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 16%) suggested the entire episode was a trap set by the US to lure Iran into an indiscriminate attack, thereby justifying a massive international counter-strike.

10. Domestic Repercussions and Reactions Inside Iraq

The conflict’s impact on Iraq was a key topic, with reports of heightened security and political commentary. Omar Abdul Sattar Mahmoud (Post Impact: 10%) reported that the gates to Baghdad’s Green Zone were closed to everyone, including badge holders. Meanwhile, Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 8%) claimed that the Iraqi National Security Service had arrested 30 people in Baghdad for “promoting the Zionist entity.” The role of Iranian proxies was also scrutinized, with Cliff Captain (Post Impact: 11%) criticizing Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais Khazali for pledging allegiance to Khamenei, calling it a “scene befitting only of slaves kissing their Persian master’s hand.”