Based on an analysis of (514) X / Twitter posts trending on September 2, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several dominant narratives circulating in Iraq. The most prominent discussion revolves around new U.S. sanctions targeting an Iraqi businessman for smuggling Iranian oil, a move seen as part of a broader American strategy under President Trump to curb Iran’s influence in the region. Another major theme features warnings from political figure Faig Al-Sheikh Ali, who draws historical parallels between Saddam Hussein’s regime and the current actions of pro-Iranian militias. Additionally, there is significant online chatter about an anticipated major military announcement from President Trump, debates over the political commentary of media personality Ahmed Albasheer, and growing concerns about the integrity of upcoming Iraqi elections.

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

1. US Sanctions Iraqi for Smuggling Iranian Oil

A major topic of discussion was the U.S. Treasury Department’s decision to impose sanctions on Iraqi businessman Walid Khalid Hamid Al-Samarrai and his companies for their role in a network smuggling Iranian oil. Accounts like Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 34%) detailed that the network allegedly mixed Iranian oil with Iraqi oil to sell on the market, generating over $300 million annually for Iran. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 69%) described the act as treasonous, stating, “Merely talking about smuggling Iranian oil in the name of Iraqi oil is enough to topple the entire crooked political process.” Several users, including Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 55%) and Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 42%), highlighted a statement from the U.S. Treasury Secretary, who noted that President Trump had “frankly directed to stop Iran’s ability to finance terrorism around the world, including Iran’s growing influence in Iraq.” Entifadh Qanbar (Post Impact: 14%) interpreted this as a “clear and dangerous warning to the Iraqi government.”

2. Faig Al-Sheikh Ali Warns of Repeating History

Prominent political commentator Faig Al-Sheikh Ali/My Word for History (Post Impact: 100%) published a series of highly engaged posts warning that history is repeating itself in Iraq. He drew a parallel between Saddam Hussein recalling his intelligence agents from abroad before the 2003 war and current militias allegedly summoning their own agents to counter any potential change in government. In a follow-up post, Faig Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 76%) claimed these militias are using the pretext that “change comes through the ballot box” to maintain power, calling them “scoundrels!” In a related post, he asserted that many people, including “Iran’s tails and its militias,” are now echoing warnings he made in 2022, something he views with contempt, as stated by Faig Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 77%).

3. Anticipation of Trump’s “Major Military Decision”

There was widespread anticipation across Iraqi social media regarding an announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump. Omar Abd Al Sattar Mahmud (Post Impact: 98%) stated that “Trump will announce today a major military decision in front of the cameras.” This was echoed by Rafid Jaboori (Post Impact: 21%), who noted that the announcement follows a “whirlwind of rumors about his health” after he was not seen publicly for a few days. Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 22%) also commented on the event, framing it as Trump’s return from “among the dead to deter them again” and promising a major surprise soon.

4. Debate Over Ahmed Albasheer’s Political Views

An interview with media personality Ahmed Albasheer sparked a significant debate online. After Ahmed Albasheer (Post Impact: 98%) shared a clip from the interview, various accounts reacted strongly. Rasha Alazawe (Post Impact: 21%) defended Albasheer, agreeing with his sentiment that America is not interested in forcibly changing the regime and that Iraqis desire change that is not “imposed by a foreign occupier.” Conversely, Mulla Abood Al-Karkhi (Post Impact: 26%) criticized Albasheer for saying that a young Iraqi who “challenges the authority disappeared,” arguing he should have said “was killed” and accused him of distorting the truth. Haidar (Post Impact: 18%) noted that “electronic armies” linked to Faig Al-Sheikh Ali were attacking Albasheer following his comments.

5. Kuwait’s Citizenship Revocation Policy Criticized

A post by Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 67%) drew significant attention to Kuwait’s policy on citizenship. The post claims that Kuwait appears “insistent on withdrawing the nationality of everyone who defended it against the Iraqi invasion, under the pretext that they are Iraqis!!” This high-impact post suggests that individuals who supported Kuwait during the 1990 invasion are now at risk of losing their Kuwaiti citizenship because of their Iraqi origins, a move that is being framed as unjust.

6. Journalist’s On-Air Resignation Sparks Outcry

A video shared by Dr. Qusay Shafiq (Post Impact: 64%) showed a journalist announcing his resignation live on air, reportedly due to “extortion operations.” The post highlights the rarity of such an event and uses hashtags like #NoToMuzzlingMouths to express solidarity. The account frames the journalist’s resignation as a principled stand against pressure and corruption within the media landscape, prompting discussions about press freedom in Iraq.

7. Concerns Over Integrity of Upcoming Elections

The integrity and timing of Iraq’s upcoming elections are a source of political tension. Adnan Alzurfi (Post Impact: 23%) expressed deep concern, stating that the “strange delay in approving candidates” and the involvement of entities like the PMF’s security in vetting have turned the process into a “targeting operation against those who are not desired.” In contrast, Ammar Al-Hakim (Post Impact: 23%) asserted confidently that “the elections will be held on their scheduled date without postponement.” Meanwhile, Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 19%) cited a report from the American website “International Policy Digest” which described the elections in Iraq as “merely a play used to redistribute influence among the political elites.”

8. Debate on the Role and Armament of the PMF

The role of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) was a topic of debate, particularly concerning a law related to the organization. Husham Ali (Post Impact: 18%) shared a clip where National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji stated, “We requested the postponement of the Hashd law until after the elections, and don’t ask me for the reason.” This statement was also highlighted by Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 12%), who found the lack of explanation suspicious. In a related context, Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 23%) quoted former military spokesman Abdulkareem Khalaf, who argued that attempts to disarm armed factions “mean turning an entire society into ‘sheep’ as happened in Syria.”

9. Allegations of Iranian-Funded Social Media Campaigns

Several accounts discussed the existence of organized online campaigns aimed at silencing critical voices. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 23%) posted a detailed thread alleging that “hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually on electronic armies whose job is to discredit every voice that stands against Iranian interference in Iraq.” He claimed these networks are funded to defend militias and attack national voices, but have largely failed in their objective due to growing popular resentment of Iranian influence. In a similar vein, Haidar (Post Impact: 15%) accused Faig Al-Sheikh Ali of launching a major, indirect attack on Ahmed Albasheer, alleging Albasheer was “secretly fed by the system” and was called upon to oppose any foreign-led change in Iraq.

10. Sudani’s Al-Nuri Mosque Visit Sparks Controversy

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s presence at the opening of the Al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul prompted conflicting reactions online. Najeh Abbas Al-Mizan (Post Impact: 42%) strongly criticized the visit, suggesting that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed of the UAE, which funded the mosque’s reconstruction, should send oud oil to “perfume the mosque’s corners and purify it from the impurity of every loyalist who desecrated it.” On the other hand, Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 20%) defended the reconstruction and the government’s involvement, arguing that it would not have been possible without the sacrifices of Iraqis in liberating the city from terrorists and that those who oppose the rebuilding effort are Ba’athists and terrorists who wish to see Iraq destroyed.