U.S. completes military withdrawal from Iraq and tensions rise with Iranian delegates
U.S. completes military withdrawal from Iraq and tensions rise with Iranian delegates
Updated at: October 2, 2026 at 02:45 AM
On September 30, 2026, the United States officially ended its 12-year military mission in Iraq, known as Operation Inherent Resolve.
The final troops departed from Erbil Air Base, signaling the end of a presence that began after the 2003 invasion.
While the U.S. will no longer have a physical military footprint in the country, the Pentagon maintains that it will continue to provide intelligence and training support from a new regional hub in Jordan.
Despite the official withdrawal, the region remains volatile.
This transition marks a major geopolitical pivot, highlighting the delicate balance between Iraq's desire for sovereignty and the persistent influence of competing regional powers.
