Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 591 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on May 10, 2026, the online conversation was dominated by regional military escalations and significant domestic security failures. The most viral content featured a video purportedly from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacking a ship in the UAE, signaling a pro-resistance narrative. However, a much broader and more critical discussion centered on the alleged discovery of a secret Israeli military base in the Iraqi desert near Najaf, sparking outrage and widespread questioning of the Iraqi government’s and its security forces’ competence and sovereignty. This was accompanied by intense debate over Iranian influence in Iraqi politics, particularly regarding the formation of a new government, and heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with posts closely following statements from former President Donald Trump.

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

1. IRGC Claims Attack on Ship in UAE

The most impactful post of the day came from Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 100%), who shared a video with the caption, “Urgent. The Revolutionary Guard publishes scenes of targeting an enemy ship in the Zionist Emirates.” The post, which shows a vessel being struck by a missile, was shared widely among accounts supportive of the Iranian-led “Axis of Resistance.” This content dominated the conversation in terms of sheer engagement, amplifying the narrative of Iran’s military capability and willingness to strike its adversaries’ interests in the region.

2. Outrage Over Alleged Israeli Base in Iraqi Desert

A major story driving conversation was the alleged discovery of a secret Israeli military base in the Iraqi desert between Najaf and Karbala, sparking widespread anger and disbelief. Othman Al-Mukhtar (Post Impact: 70%) contrasted the nearly two million members of Iraqi military and security forces with the failure to detect the site, calling it proof that the 2003 US invasion succeeded in making Iraq “weak, worn-out, and subservient.” Omar Al-Janabi (Post Impact: 20%) sarcastically noted the paradox: “The intention: liberate Palestine. The reality: an Israeli base in the Najaf desert.” Other users, like Haidar (Post Impact: 12%) and Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 12%), questioned the government’s lack of awareness and criticized armed factions for focusing on internal targets while ignoring a foreign military presence.

3. Sadrist Movement’s Cryptic Political Messages

The Sadrist movement generated significant online activity with high-impact posts that contained only images and no text. The movement’s leader, Muqtada Al-Sayyid Muhammad Al-Sadr (Post Impact: 89%), and his influential aide, who goes by the handle Minister of the Leader – Saleh Muhammad Al-Iraqi (Post Impact: 47%), both published photographs that their followers interpret as carrying political signals. Analyst Adnan Al-Taie (Post Impact: 3%) interpreted these posts as Al-Sadr breaking his political silence with “commandments” for the prime minister-designate, specifically to “keep the factions away!” from the new government.

4. US-Iran Tensions and Trump’s Stance

Discussions about the tense relationship between the US and Iran were prominent, with many users focusing on former US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric. Mohamed Almaroof (Post Impact: 4%) shared a lengthy post attributed to Trump, which criticized past US policy on Iran and declared that Iran “won’t be laughing anymore!” Several accounts, including Rafid Jaboori (Post Impact: 4%) and Sheikh Thaer Al-Bayati (Post Impact: 4%), reported that Trump rejected Iran’s response to a US proposal to end the conflict, calling the response “completely rejected and unacceptable.” Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Azami (Post Impact: 4%) cited Bloomberg news agency, stating there were “no indications of Iran accepting the American paper to end the war.”

5. Iraqi Government Formation and Qaani’s Visit

The formation of the new Iraqi government under Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zaydi was a major topic, with a focus on perceived Iranian interference. Several accounts, including Abu Maryam (Post Impact: 7%) and Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 4%), reported on a surprise visit to Baghdad by Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force. These accounts allege that Qaani’s purpose was to deliver an Iranian “veto” against Al-Zaydi’s government, which Tehran reportedly views as a pro-American project. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 7%) commented unwelcomingly on Qaani’s arrival, while Basil Hussein (Post Impact: 2%) argued that Qaani’s direct presence indicates he is either vetoing the candidate or dictating terms for the next government.

6. Calls for a Firmer Arab Stance on Regional Security

Amidst the news of foreign military presence and influence, some prominent accounts called for stronger regional unity and sovereignty. Raghad Saddam Hussein (Post Impact: 12%) stated, “The time has come for a more decisive and clear Arab and regional position that puts an end to the projects of chaos and sabotage, and confirms that the security, stability, and sovereignty of Arab countries are a red line that cannot be crossed.” Similarly, Zina Al Saab (Post Impact: 5%) advised Gulf states that the cost of confronting Iran is far less than appeasing it, urging them to work on removing the Iranian regime “from its roots forever, whatever the cost.”

7. Skepticism Over US Government’s UFO Disclosures

Away from the immediate regional conflict, politician and lawyer Faig Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 12%) commented on the recent release of UFO footage by the United States. He expressed skepticism about the disclosures, questioning why the U.S. did not provide any explanations or details with the films. He concluded that the footage is likely a distraction tactic, stating his opinion that, “There are no other peoples in the universe! This is a new film to occupy people with!” This perspective was shared in two separate, identical posts by his account.

8. Online Debates on Iraqi vs. Iranian Identity and History

Tensions between pro-Iraqi and pro-Iranian narratives were evident in several heated online exchanges. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 17%) debunked a video celebrating an Iranian tank from the Iran-Iraq war, clarifying it was an American-made M60 Patton tank that was defeated by Iraqi T-55s and criticized those who take pride in “Iran’s aggression against Iraq.” Zaidon Sameer (Post Impact: 9%) pushed back against pro-Iranian users who he says “stabbed at my lineage,” challenging them to reveal their own full names and tribes. These posts highlight a recurring online culture war over national identity and historical grievances.

9. Hezbollah Military Operations Against Israel

In addition to the IRGC-claimed attack, accounts supportive of the “Axis of Resistance” highlighted military operations by Hezbollah against Israel. The account Haidar (Post Impact: 8%) circulated a video that allegedly shows Hezbollah fighters destroying an Iron Dome platform inside Israel and subsequently targeting the backup force that arrived at the scene. In another post, the same account shared footage of what it described as a Hezbollah loitering munition attacking Israeli soldiers at a helicopter landing pad in an Israeli settlement. These posts were framed as successful and precise strikes against valuable Israeli military targets.

10. Scandal of Iraqi Impersonator in Lebanon

A story causing embarrassment for Iraq was circulated by several users, detailing the arrest of an Iraqi man in Lebanon for impersonating a high-ranking official. According to a report from Al-Hurra shared by Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 8%) and Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 2%), an Iraqi “delivery man” successfully posed as the “Director of Security for the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut.” He managed to build relationships with senior Lebanese security officials, attended official receptions, and was even photographed with the Director General of Lebanese State Security before his deception was discovered. The story was presented as another example of dysfunction and a national “scandal.”