AhlulBayt News Agency: Iraqis are turning out in large numbers to pledge their support for Iran and its efforts against a potential US attack.
Reports from Diyala Province on Saturday showed thousands gathering to sign a pledge stating they would help defend Iran if the United States launched an attack.
A statement from the organizers said participants were ready to defend Iran as well as Iraqi groups that support their eastern neighbor.
“We declare our readiness to volunteer in support of our security forces, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we firmly reject American intervention in the Islamic Republic,” the statement read.
A senior member of Iraq’s Badr Organization, which supports Iran and opposes the US presence in the region, said nearly 5,000 people in Diyala had volunteered to defend Iran without expecting compensation.
Ammar al‑Tamimi added that the names and organizational structure of the volunteers would be submitted to the Commander‑in‑Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces.
The gathering took place amid rising fears of a military confrontation between Iran and the United States. Tensions escalated last month after Washington deployed warships near Iran, prompting Tehran to warn of a decisive response to any attack.
Tensions eased earlier this week after both sides agreed to resume negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, with the first round held in Oman on Friday.
Reports also indicated that volunteers were signing up in other Iraqi cities, including Baghdad, in preparation for a possible US attack on Iran.
This growing support comes despite ongoing US efforts to weaken Iraq’s ties with Iran, including restrictions on Iranian gas revenues held in Iraqi banks and attempts to block Iraq from increasing energy imports from Iran.
However, Iraqi factions aligned with Iran have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to supporting Tehran and its efforts against foreign military presence in the region.
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