Based on an analysis of 348 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on August 28, 2026, Miqrab AI identified several dominant narratives. The most prominent theme, driven by high-engagement accounts, centers on Iran’s current economic and geopolitical struggles, particularly the impact of US sanctions and the loss of leverage in the Strait of Hormuz, often framed with historical irony regarding Iran’s past support for sanctions against Iraq. Another major story involves the US government revoking the visa of former Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami and placing her on a terror watch list, drawing significant discussion across multiple pages. Other key topics include condolences from Iraqi and Kurdish leaders on the death of the King of Norway, speculation about future regional conflicts, and commentary on domestic issues such as statements by Muqtada al-Sadr and accusations of sectarianism against the Al-Fallujah TV channel.

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

1. Iran’s Economic Suffering and Historical Irony

Accounts on X are highlighting the severe impact of US economic sanctions on Iran, often drawing parallels to Iran’s own past actions against Iraq. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 100%) shared a 1990 UN memorandum in which Iran pledged to enforce economic sanctions on Iraq, commenting, “Now, Iran is begging the world not to apply economic sanctions on it. Taste what you have earned.” He further detailed the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s pleas, quoting their statements that sanctions “pose a grave risk to the health and livelihoods of millions of civilians” and are a “cruel tool designed to inflict pain and suffering on Iranians,” as reported by Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 42%). Similarly, Aayad Al Twfan (Post Impact: 29%) described the situation as “The poison cook must taste it,” arguing that Iran is now drinking from the same cup it made Iraq and Syria drink from for decades.

2. Geopolitical Standoff at the Strait of Hormuz

A major topic of discussion is the shifting power dynamic in the Strait of Hormuz, with users asserting that Iran is losing its strategic advantage. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 80%) stated that the strait has “turned into a curse for Iran,” as oil flows smoothly from Gulf countries while Iran cannot export a single barrel. He added that Iraq and Gulf nations are developing alternative export routes, leaving Iran as the sole sufferer. Analyst Liqaa Maki (Post Impact: 62%) echoed this, suggesting the “Strait of Hormuz card is slipping from Iran’s hands” and becoming a political burden rather than a source of pressure, which could encourage Washington to adopt a tougher stance. Further posts, like one from Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 41%), cited Russian sources claiming Iran is now prepared to open the strait without fees in exchange for sanctions relief.

3. US Blacklists Former Iraqi Minister Taif Sami

Multiple accounts reported that the U.S. State Department has revoked the visa of former Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami and placed her on an FBI terror watch list. Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 32%) and Hiba Alnnaib (Post Impact: 14%) cited Fox News for the initial report. The news was highlighted as a dramatic reversal by Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 25%), who noted that the Biden administration had previously honored Sami in 2022 with an International Women of Courage Award, with Secretary Blinken calling her Iraq’s “Iron Woman” for fighting corruption. Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 14%) provided a detailed translation of the Fox News article, which mentioned that Republican lawmakers had previously accused her of being a “key facilitator of terror financing in Iraq.” Later, Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 17%) and Hisham Ali (Post Impact: 9%) noted that while Taif Sami denied the reports, the U.S. State Department later confirmed them.

4. Speculation on Future Division of the Gulf

A highly engaged post by Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 64%) outlined a hypothetical scenario for the division of Gulf countries in the event of a new war. According to his post, the conflict’s spoils would be divided as follows: Bahrain and the UAE would be Iran’s share, Kuwait would go to Iraq, and Saudi Arabia would be the share of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. He also speculated that Qatar’s fate is undecided, potentially remaining independent or being annexed by Oman, while the Kurds would become Turkey’s share. This post presented a stark vision of regional realignment driven by a major conflict, assigning specific territories to regional powers.

5. Iraqi Leaders Mourn Death of Norwegian King

Iraqi and Kurdish officials publicly expressed their condolences following the death of King Harald V of Norway. The Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 46%) announced that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaydi sent a condolence message to his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Støre, expressing sympathies to the “friendly Norwegian people” and recalling Norway’s political and humanitarian support for Iraq. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani (Post Impact: 25%) described the late king as a “respected and devoted monarch” and extended heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and people of Norway. Similarly, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (Post Impact: 12%) also shared a message of condolence for the “profound loss.”

6. Muqtada al-Sadr’s Recent Statements

Recent statements by Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have been circulating on X. One post by Haidar (Post Impact: 33%) highlights al-Sadr attacking Wahhabism, quoting him as saying: “How strange… you celebrate the salvation of the Prophet Moses from drowning on the day of Ashura, but you do not celebrate the birth of the Greatest Prophet!” In another post shared by Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 11%), al-Sadr is quoted praying for a “Muhammadan, Alawite, Fatimid, Mahdist, noble state with which you honor Islam and humiliate corruption and its people.” Additionally, Safaa Al-Asadi (Post Impact: 9%) shared the text of al-Sadr’s Friday sermon.

7. Reports of Past Iranian-US Military Cooperation

Users shared video clips purporting to show Iranian officials admitting to past cooperation with the United States. Mustafa Al-Dulaimi (Post Impact: 29%) posted a video of former Iranian ambassador Sadegh Kharazi stating, “We gave the American forces our airports, our airspace, and even their wounded during America’s invasion of Afghanistan.” In a similar vein, Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 28%) shared a video of an Iranian official he identifies as “Ahmadian” admitting to cooperation with America in the invasion of Afghanistan. Both accounts used these videos to criticize Iran for now seeking help from Muslim countries against U.S. sanctions after having collaborated with the U.S. military.

8. Accusations of Sectarianism Against Al-Fallujah TV

The Al-Fallujah TV channel is facing accusations of promoting sectarianism. Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 19%) posted multiple times, calling to “Stop Al-Khunjar, for his stabs in the body of the nation will produce a sectarian war from which no one will survive.” He specifically named the channel’s news director, Omar al-Janabi, and executive director, Othman al-Mukhtar, as key figures driving a sectarian agenda. In another post, Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 19%) described the individuals as having a “pathological sectarianism.” These sentiments were echoed by Wesam Aziz (Post Impact: 11%), who stated, “We will sue you, Al-Fallujah channel, for targeting us,” signaling an intent to oppose what he termed their “projects” and those of Khamis al-Khanjar.

9. Clashes Between Syrians in Rural Damascus

Reports of civil unrest and violence in rural Damascus are being shared by Iraqi accounts. Haidar (Post Impact: 21%) described “widespread chaos” in the area after residents from Deir ez-Zor province attacked a town, allegedly destroying public and private property, looting homes, and abducting women, leading the Syrian government to impose a curfew. In a related post, Haidar (Post Impact: 24%) mentioned that the situation was out of control, with “Shwam” (Damascus locals) attacking the homes of “Deiris” (people from Deir ez-Zor), and vice versa, indicating retaliatory ethnic or regional clashes.

10. Iraq Explores Oil Export Routes Outside Hormuz

Amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, there is discussion about Iraq developing alternative oil export routes. According to Haidar (Post Impact: 15%), citing Bloomberg, Iraq has announced the sale of its oil through Omani ports located outside the strait, marking the first time the country has offered significant quantities for sale this way. Ziad Al-Hashimi (Post Impact: 10%) elaborated on this tactic, explaining that both Iraq and Gulf countries are using fleets of smaller ships to transport oil out of the high-risk zone to larger tankers waiting in the Gulf of Oman. He argues this strategy has made Iranian attacks more difficult and costly, allowing oil exports to continue safely.