2026-09-04: PMF Commander’s Concerns Over Lack of Foreign Support
Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 337 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on September 4, 2026, the online discourse was dominated by intense geopolitical speculation surrounding Iran’s increasing isolation and the potential for a major US-brokered “deal of the century” involving Ukraine. This narrative was fueled by reports of new EU sanctions and claims that Russia and China were abandoning their ally. Domestically, this external pressure intensified debates about Iraqi sovereignty, with many users criticizing Iraqi figures and militias for expressing loyalty to Iran over their own country. Conversations also focused on the future of armed factions amid international calls for disarmament, alongside domestic frustrations over a severe gasoline crisis, which many commentators attributed to government corruption and mismanagement.
Table Of Content
- 1. PMF Commander’s Concerns Over Lack of Foreign Support
- 2. Speculation on an “Iran for Ukraine” Geopolitical Deal
- 3. Criticism of Pro-Iran Loyalty Statements in Iraq
- 4. Iran Faces New Sanctions and Economic Isolation
- 5. US Warns of “Giant” Iranian Attack Ahead of Elections
- 6. Pro-Iran Accounts Push Counter-Narratives of Victory
- 7. Domestic Gasoline Crisis Sparks Public Outcry and Accusations
- 8. Criticism of Mashaan al-Jubouri’s Call for a Sunni Conference
- 9. Debate Over a Proposed New Iraqi National Anthem
- 10. Discourse on the Baghdad International Book Fair
Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:
1. PMF Commander’s Concerns Over Lack of Foreign Support
A video featuring Abu Dhafer Al-Ziyadi, a commander in Brigade 41 of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), circulated widely, generating significant discussion about the state of Iraqi militias. According to Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 81%), the commander lamented the current situation, stating, “US and NATO air forces are no longer with us as they were in the war against ISIS, Iran might abandon us, Turkey manufactures drones and supports Syria, what should we do?” This sentiment was echoed in a highly engaged post by Hussein Ali Al-Shihani (Post Impact: 100%), which shared a video of a PMF leader and questioned, “On the subject of external pressure… We must distinguish… Who submitted and who did not submit?” These posts highlight a narrative of anxiety and uncertainty within pro-Iran factions regarding their strategic alliances and future capabilities without the external support they once had.
2. Speculation on an “Iran for Ukraine” Geopolitical Deal
A major narrative gaining traction alleges that Iran is being sacrificed in a grand geopolitical bargain. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 73%) claimed, “Russia will sell out Iran in exchange for a Russo-Ukrainian agreement by the end of this week… under American sponsorship.” This idea of a “deal of the century” was reinforced by Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 35%), who simply stated, “The deal of the century. Iran for Ukraine, O people.” Adding to this, Abu Maryam (Post Impact: 30%) suggested that China is also distancing itself, posting, “After Russia… China has sold out Iran…” These posts collectively paint a picture of Iran being abandoned by its major allies as part of a US-led strategic realignment.
3. Criticism of Pro-Iran Loyalty Statements in Iraq
Several accounts expressed outrage over videos showing Iraqi individuals pledging allegiance to Iran over their own country. Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 39%) shared a clip of Abdulrahman Al-Jazairi stating, “Every Iraqi, Sunni, Shia, or Kurd, must salute the Islamic Republic of Iran day and night,” questioning if there could be more “degrading content.” Similarly, Ali Farhan ali farhan (Post Impact: 34%) criticized the same statement as promoting “subservience to foreign countries at the expense of the nation” and called on the Communications and Media Commission to take action. Salem Al-Jumaili (Post Impact: 24%) shared another video where an individual declares they would side with Khamenei against Iraq in a potential war, questioning how coexistence is possible with such views. These posts highlight a strong nationalist sentiment opposing perceived Iranian influence in Iraq.
4. Iran Faces New Sanctions and Economic Isolation
News of increasing economic pressure on Iran was a significant topic. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 44%) reported a statement from the U.S. Treasury Secretary, announcing that “The European Union has officially joined the economic pariah operation against Iran.” David Yassin (Post Impact: 30%) described the economic siege as part of a broader “structural dismantling,” stating Iran has suffered a major intelligence exposure leading to “complete paralysis of the Revolutionary Guard formations and nuclear program cadres.” The narrative was amplified by Rafid Jaboori (Post Impact: 12%), who noted the significance of European participation and that all eyes are on how this will affect Iran’s trade partners, including China, Turkey, and Iraq.
5. US Warns of “Giant” Iranian Attack Ahead of Elections
A warning from a former American diplomat about a potential Iranian attack circulated on the platform. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 35%) quoted former U.S. diplomat Joey Hood, who, according to a translation by “Baghdad Today,” claimed the U.S. has intelligence about Iran’s intention to launch a “giant attack” within the next six weeks. Hood explained that Iran has a habit of trying to “humiliate the United States during elections” and that the simultaneous U.S. and Israeli elections present an “irresistible opportunity” for Iran. In a related but unverified claim, Noor – Um Omar Um Omar (Post Impact: 18%) shared a report alleging that IRGC elements assassinated a U.S. Air Fleet Commander, General Malcolm Granger, on American soil, suggesting this demonstrates the reach of Iranian intelligence.
6. Pro-Iran Accounts Push Counter-Narratives of Victory
Amid widespread discussion of Iran’s difficulties, some accounts presented a counter-narrative of strength and imminent victory. Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 29%) argued that Gulf countries borrowing money to cover deficits caused by oil export disruptions is the “first sign of victory” for the pro-Iran axis. He claimed these states would soon be unable to pay for the war, fund their proxies, or even pay their own employees’ salaries. In another post, Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 26%) asserted that Iran would not wait for an American attack and had already “launched an attack today on the American bases in Jordan.” These posts aim to reassure followers of Iran’s resilience and strategic upper hand in the regional conflict.
7. Domestic Gasoline Crisis Sparks Public Outcry and Accusations
A severe gasoline shortage across Iraq prompted frustration and accusations of government incompetence and corruption. Falah Al-Mashal (Post Impact: 15%) questioned the logic of the crisis, asking, “Is this stupidity in managing oil wealth, or corruption in the refining and import system?” He argued that when an oil-rich country like Iraq becomes hostage to the arrival of a fuel ship, it reflects a “crisis of state management and mentality.” Basil Hussein (Post Impact: 12%) sarcastically questioned if the crisis in Iraq, mirroring one in Iran, was a “practical embodiment of the unity of fronts.” Meanwhile, Mula Abood Al-Karkhi (Post Impact: 12%) blamed the crisis on an “internal strike” by loyalists of recently arrested officials.
8. Criticism of Mashaan al-Jubouri’s Call for a Sunni Conference
Politician Mashaan al-Jubouri’s initiative to hold a conference for Arab Sunnis in Iraq drew criticism from commentators who accused him of promoting sectarianism and questioned his motives. Sajjad Salem (Post Impact: 19%) argued that al-Jubouri was “falling into the trap of sectarianism” and that presenting another sectarian project is not the solution to the political marginalization of Sunnis. Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 17%) expressed skepticism by sharing a past video of al-Jubouri boasting about his friendship with Iran and how their project “triumphed over the American project,” asking, “I don’t know what exactly has changed?!”
9. Debate Over a Proposed New Iraqi National Anthem
A proposed new national anthem became a subject of debate, revealing underlying political and sectarian tensions. Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 22%) praised the anthem as a short, memorable song “full of national vocabulary that reflects Iraq’s reality” and promotes national unity. In contrast, Abu Mzeal (Post Impact: 22%) suggested that the anthem is being ignored by certain media outlets like Al-Sharqiya and Dijla precisely because its author is Shia. He claimed that if the writer had been from “the other side,” these channels would be celebrating it, but instead, “everyone has turned off their lights.”
10. Discourse on the Baghdad International Book Fair
The Baghdad International Book Fair attracted commentary ranging from celebratory to cynical. Ammar Al-Hakim (Post Impact: 25%), leader of the National Wisdom Movement, shared a photo from the event with the famous Arabic saying, “The best companion in time is a book.” On the other hand, Dr. Zainab Al-Dulaimi (Post Impact: 22%) posted a photo of three women at the fair and criticized them, claiming they were only there to “show off” and pretend to be intellectuals for social media photos. She asserted they had likely never read the works of renowned Iraqi or international authors and were there “just for show and ‘take my picture, I’m cultured!'”




