Based on Miqrab AI’s analysis of 400 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on June 13, 2026, the online discourse was dominated by Iran’s growing influence in the region, highlighted by alleged multi-billion dollar payments from Gulf countries and a forthcoming agreement with the United States. Other major narratives included solemn commemorations for the anniversaries of the Speicher Massacre and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s fatwa against ISIS, which mobilized thousands of Iraqis. Concurrently, a significant controversy erupted over an alleged tweet by US President Donald Trump insulting Mecca, while domestic issues such as high-level corruption scandals and the silencing of critical voices, like that of economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi, also fueled extensive online conversation.

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

1. Gulf States Reportedly Pay Billions to Iran

Multiple accounts discussed reports of Gulf nations making large payments to Iran. Hayder (Post Impact: 21%), citing the Iranian Mehr News Agency, reported that Qatar will give Iran $12 billion after the UAE allegedly paid $10 billion. Hayder framed these payments as a form of “jizya” (tribute) paid by Gulf states “so that they are not targeted.” In another post, Hayder (Post Impact: 25%) questioned how much Kuwait and Bahrain would have to pay to avoid being targeted. Adding to the discussion of Iran’s regional power, Issam Hussein (Post Impact: 7%) argued against calls to limit relations with Iran, stating, “Iran is the most important country in the region today because of its control over the Strait of Hormuz.” This narrative coincides with news shared by Rafid Jaboori (Post Impact: 6%) and Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 7%) that US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Iran would be signed on Sunday, promising it would be better than Obama’s deal and would immediately open the Strait of Hormuz.

2. Trump Allegedly Insults Mecca in a Tweet

A significant wave of outrage was sparked by reports of an offensive tweet allegedly posted by US President Donald Trump. The account Hayder (Post Impact: 22%) posted an urgent news flash stating, “US President Donald Trump compares Mecca to a garbage dump in a tweet on his account!” This claim was repeated in an identical post from the same account. In a follow-up, Hayder (Post Impact: 15%) linked this alleged insult to other recent perceived offenses against Islam, such as the revelation that Jeffrey Epstein engaged in sexual acts with a minor on a gifted covering of the Kaaba (Kiswa). The post criticized the lack of action from the Muslim world in response to these events.

3. Somber Commemoration of the Speicher Massacre Anniversary

Iraqi social media users widely commemorated the anniversary of the Speicher Massacre, a 2014 mass killing of army cadets by ISIS. Prominent satirist Ahmed Albasheer (Post Impact: 20%) posted a tribute, stating, “On the anniversary of Speicher, we remember young men who dreamed of a better life, who turned into a painful memory in the heart of every Iraqi.” He used the hashtag #Speicher_wound_of_the_nation. Similarly, Ahmad Abdulsada (Post Impact: 7%) shared a video of a grieving mother whose son, Ali, was killed in the massacre. He highlighted her resilience, noting, “Ali is slaughtered by the sword of Takfiri terrorism, and in his place, 6 are born carrying the name Ali, his courage, and his path.”

4. Anniversary of Al-Sistani’s “Sufficient Jihad” Fatwa

Users commemorated the anniversary of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s 2014 fatwa of “Kifai Jihad” (Sufficient Jihad), which called on Iraqis to fight against ISIS. Naeem Abd Yasir Al-Aboudi (Post Impact: 8%), the Minister of Higher Education, described the fatwa as “a pivotal milestone in the contemporary history of Iraq” that saved the country from an existential threat. The account Hayder (Post Impact: 8%) shared a video of Sheikh Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalai recounting the dire situation before the fatwa, when ISIS was on the verge of attacking Baghdad. In another post, Hayder (Post Impact: 8%) published a letter from the late Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis to al-Sistani, pledging to answer the call to jihad. Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 5%) also thanked Ayatollah Sistani, Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei, and the members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

5. Economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi Quits Media Due to Pressure

News of prominent Iraqi economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi’s decision to stop his media appearances and writings due to political pressure trended widely. Hayder (Post Impact: 12%) reported that Al-Marsoumi was pressured by the Parliament after he published information about parliamentarians’ salaries. The post quoted Al-Marsoumi’s statement: “As long as the authorities possess the power of deterrence and the lines between facts and insults are unclear, I have decided to put my pen aside and leave the media.” Commenting on the news, Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 4%) lamented the departure, stating it is part of an effort to “empty public opinion of real voices and keep and support the mouthpieces.” Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 5%) also commented on the event, saying, “It is the time of the insignificant.”

6. Rare Footage of 1990 Invasion of Kuwait Circulates

Historical footage from the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait gained significant traction. The account Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 13%) shared a video described as a “rare clip of the deployment of Iraqi Republican Guard forces in the streets of Kuwait,” specifically in the Granada area on August 2, 1990. The same account posted another clip described as a “rare historical clip of the day of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait” (Post Impact: 10%). These posts provided a historical look back at a pivotal moment in the region’s history, sparking discussion among users.

7. Exam Notebook Smuggling and Fraud Scandal

A major corruption scandal involving an Iraqi school in Ukraine was a key topic of discussion. The account Abu Maryam (Post Impact: 12%) detailed allegations against the Al-Nema’a school in Kyiv, claiming it has been accepting students for a decade who only show up for exams and pay for high grades. The post states that the scheme was exposed after exam notebooks were seized at Baghdad Airport. The user called on authorities to investigate and nullify the results from the past ten years. In other posts, Abu Maryam (Post Impact: 5%) reported that an arrest warrant has been issued for the school’s director, Mohannad Al-Zubaidi, and two employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Education.

8. Corruption Allegations Surface at Baiji Refinery

Allegations of widespread corruption at the Baiji oil refinery in Salah al-Din province were shared across several accounts. Dr. Qusay Shafiq (Post Impact: 7%) addressed Prime Minister Al-Zaidi, pointing to a list of daily wages for over 32,000 alleged ghost workers. The post claims that billions are going into the pockets of “corrupt” individuals, including the refinery’s director, Adnan Al-Jumaili, and a Kurdish contractor. Adding to this, Mustafa Al-Dulaimi (Post Impact: 5%) claimed that Al-Jumaili has confessed and implicated senior political leaders, and that the Prime Minister has ordered action to be taken without reservation. Dr. Majed Shingali (Post Impact: 4%) expressed skepticism, suggesting that figures like Al-Jumaili are merely fronts for untouchable “whales of corruption” and that the case will be covered up like previous scandals.

9. Protests in Iran Against US Nuclear Deal

As news of an impending agreement between Iran and the US circulated, several accounts reported on internal opposition within Iran. Hiba Alnnaib (Post Impact: 5%) shared a video purportedly showing the home of Iranian Foreign Minister [Abbas] Araghchi being surrounded by protesters chanting “Death to Araghchi.” Similarly, Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 3%) reported that demonstrations in Iran were demanding the resignations of parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Araghchi, and rejecting the agreement with the US in its current form. Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 3%) also shared videos of the protests, claiming that families of the Revolutionary Guard and Basij were calling for the ouster of the government for betraying the legacy of the late Ayatollah Khamenei.

10. US Envoy to Discuss Disarming Militias in Baghdad

Reports of an upcoming visit by a US envoy to Baghdad to discuss disarming militias were a topic of conversation. Mustafa Al-Dulaimi (Post Impact: 5%) claimed that US envoy Tom Barrack is bringing a list of conditions, including the disarmament of all groups operating outside state control within six months. The post also mentioned US support for PM Al-Zaidi’s government in its fight against corruption and its efforts to prevent armed groups from participating in government. Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhami (Post Impact: 4%) also reported on the imminent visit, confirming that the envoy will discuss the issue of “restricting weapons to the state.”