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<\/a><\/p>\nPublished On 26 Jan 202626 Jan 2026<\/p>\n
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, following the transfer<\/a> of ISIL (ISIS)-linked detainees from Syria to Iraq, as he encouraged Baghdad to maintain autonomy from Iran amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.<\/p>\n In a news release, the United States Department of State said Rubio and al-Sudani spoke on Sunday, during which the top US diplomat \u201ccommended the Government of Iraq\u2019s initiative and leadership in expediting the transfer and detention of ISIS terrorists\u201d.<\/p>\n Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list<\/p>\n On Wednesday, the US military said it moved the first 150 detainees, being held in a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location in Iraq, as the Syrian army took control<\/a> of more territories previously held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The military plans to transfer up to 7,000 people to Iraq.<\/p>\n The move represented a seismic shift<\/a> in how the US handles its fight against ISIL, which has historically relied on a decade-plus relationship with the SDF, in favour of partnering with the Syrian government and Baghdad. The SDF was trained and armed by the US in the fight against ISIL.<\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re watching Iran\u2019<\/p>\n The call on Sunday also came as Iraq is expecting a return of Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister after more than 10 years. Al-Maliki first became prime minister in 2006 with the backing of the US. His ties with the US soured after being accused of implementing sectarian policies that led to the rise of ISIL in Iraq.<\/p>\n Rubio said \u201cIraq can fully realise its potential as a force for stability, prosperity, and security in the Middle East\u201d as a new government is expected to take power in Baghdad.<\/p>\n \u201cThe secretary emphasised that a government controlled by Iran cannot successfully put Iraq\u2019s own interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts or advance the mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq,\u201d Rubio said, according to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the US has been moving its military assets in the Middle East. On Thursday, President Donald Trump said an \u201carmada\u201d of warships was heading towards<\/a> the Gulf with Iran as its focal point.<\/p>\n During the mass protests<\/a> that rocked Iran starting in late December, Trump repeatedly threatened<\/a> to intervene militarily, prompting Tehran to pledge retaliation<\/a>. The US struck three<\/a> of Iran\u2019s nuclear sites last June during Israel\u2019s 12-day war with Tehran.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re watching Iran. We have a big force going towards Iran,\u201d Trump said of the armada.<\/p>\n