Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 517 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on December 31, 2025, the primary narratives revolved around significant regional and domestic events. The most dominant theme was the widespread anti-government protests in Iran, with numerous Iraqi accounts expressing strong support for the demonstrators and anticipating the fall of the current regime. Domestically, a satirical announcement by media personality Ahmed Albasheer that he was running for President of Iraq garnered the highest engagement of any single post. Other key conversations included New Year’s Eve greetings from politicians and the public, controversy surrounding an Omani sports commentator’s alleged post about Saddam Hussein, and growing reports of a major political and military fallout between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over Yemen.

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

1. Ahmed Albasheer’s Presidential Bid Shakes Social Media

Satirist and media personality Ahmed Albasheer announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Republic of Iraq, causing a major stir on social media. In a formal statement posted by his account Ahmed Albasheer -أحمد البشير (Post Impact: 100%), he cited the “political and economic challenges” facing the nation as his motivation. Albasheer pledged that, if he wins the confidence of the political powers and the people, he will exert all his effort “to protect the unity of Iraq, preserve its democratic system, safeguard the constitution, and protect the people and their supreme interests.” The announcement was widely shared by other accounts, such as Haider (Post Impact: 9%), which noted that Albasheer had formally submitted his papers to political blocs.

2. Widespread Iraqi Support for Anti-Regime Protests in Iran

A significant portion of the conversation focused on large-scale anti-government protests across Iran, with many Iraqi accounts expressing solidarity and hope for regime change. Accounts like Mula Abood Al-Karkhi (Post Impact: 58%) called on Iraqi youth to support the “freemen of Iran who are shouting ‘Death to the dictator Khamenei’.” Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 41%) and Tamara Alkhazraji (Post Impact: 14%) shared content suggesting Reza Pahlavi is the “next to rule Iran.” Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 25%) reported that demonstrations had spread to 25 out of 31 Iranian provinces. The sentiment was overwhelmingly supportive of the protestors, with many posts, including from Aayad Al Twfan (Post Impact: 19%), expressing that the fall of the regime in Tehran would bring positive change to Baghdad, Damascus, and Beirut.

3. Omani Commentator Apologizes for Saddam Hussein Post

Omani sports commentator Khalil Al-Balushi became the center of a heated online debate after a post commemorating former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein appeared on his Facebook page. The account Haider (Post Impact: 37%) shared a video in which Al-Balushi apologized, claiming that a company managing his social media accounts was responsible for the post. The apology did little to quell the anger from some users. Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 17%) posted an aggressive denunciation of Al-Balushi and anyone who glorifies Saddam Hussein, reflecting a deep-seated division among Iraqis on the legacy of the former ruler.

4. New Year’s Greetings and Celebrations Across Iraq

As the new year approached, politicians, officials, and citizens shared messages of hope and celebration for 2026. The U.S. Embassy Baghdad (Post Impact: 26%) posted a message wishing a happy new year and stating, “The best is yet to come!” Iraqi political figures, including Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 25%) and former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (Post Impact: 6%), also extended their well wishes. In a different display of celebration, Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 28%) shared a video of thousands of pilgrims in Karbala welcoming 2026 between the two holy shrines with religious chants.

5. Reports Detail Escalating Saudi-Emirati Conflict

Multiple accounts reported on a deepening rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, primarily centered on the conflict in Yemen. Asaad Al-Basri (Post Impact: 15%) claimed that “Saudi sources” allege the UAE supplied southern Yemeni separatists with advanced American missiles to target Saudi ships, prompting Saudi airstrikes to destroy the weapons shipment. Sharing detailed analyses from the *Financial Times*, ZaidBenjamin (Post Impact: 14%) and ZaidBenjamin (Post Impact: 12%) outlined how the once-strong alliance collapsed due to competing economic ambitions and divergent foreign policy goals in Yemen and Sudan, culminating in direct confrontation.

6. Politician Mustafa Sanad Criticized for Controversial Photo

Iraqi politician Mustafa Sanad sparked criticism after a video circulated of him defending a photo he took with Haybat al-Halbousi. In the clip shared by Mujahid Al-Taie (Post Impact: 11%) and Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 9%), Sanad defiantly states, “I took a photo with Haybat al-Halbousi and I will take 100 more. The elections are over, and if you don’t like it, hit your head against the wall!” Commentators accused Sanad of hypocrisy, suggesting his statement was a betrayal of the “deceived” voters who supported him based on what they called “false sectarian slogans” during his campaign.

7. Commander Nasser al-Ghanam Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

News circulated that former military commander Nasser al-Ghanam was sentenced to two years in prison. According to Haider (Post Impact: 6%), the sentence was handed down in connection with the deaths of military college students in Nasiriyah. Othman Al-Mukhtar (Post Impact: 12%) provided a harsher commentary, describing al-Ghanam as a “dirty criminal tool” for parties like the Dawa Party, the Supreme Council, and Badr since 2003. Al-Mukhtar claimed that the political parties have now decided to discard him like a “cigarette butt.”

8. Accounts Commemorate Anniversary of US Embassy Siege

Several accounts marked the anniversary of the 2019 storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by sharing videos and images from the event. Wesam Aziz (Post Impact: 10%) posted a video with the caption, “On this day, the American embassy was besieged under the mercy of the Iraqi resistance.” Similarly, Abu Mzeal (Post Impact: 9%) shared a photo from the day, highlighting a prominent figure who was present. The posts generally framed the event as a moment of Iraqi strength and defiance against the United States.

9. Cardinal Sako’s Religious Statements Spark Controversy

Statements made by Cardinal Louis Sako, the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, generated debate online. The account Haider (Post Impact: 7%) summarized his remarks, noting that Sako said the “Quran took a lot from the Jewish religion” and that his ancestors are buried in Kufa. Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 6%) reacted negatively, stating that Sako should “sit at home and not make statements.” Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 4%) highlighted another of Sako’s comments, in which the Cardinal said that the same forces who “silenced the voice of Mr. Sistani” now want to silence the church.

10. Fallujah Mall Cancels New Year’s Eve Events

Reports that the Fallujah Mall in Anbar province had canceled its New Year’s Eve celebrations after pressure from extremists drew online criticism. According to a post by Haider (Post Impact: 5%), the mall’s management decided to close to “respect different viewpoints among citizens and avoid any division.” Sajjad al-Jubouri (Post Impact: 6%) condemned the move, arguing that describing Christians as “infidels is exclusionary and contrary to the constitution, and you should be held legally accountable for it.” He criticized the mall’s management for succumbing to the pressure.